Antisense modulation of GCGR expression

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of GCGR mRNA and protein in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate metabolic disease, for example, diabetes, or a symptom thereof.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/537,007, filed Sep. 20, 2011, the contents of which is herein incorporated in its entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The present application is being filed along with a Sequence Listing in electronic format. The Sequence Listing is provided as a file entitled BIOL0161USSEQ.txt created Sep. 19, 2012, which is 60 Kb in size. The information in the electronic format of the sequence listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of GCGR mRNA and protein in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful, for example, to treat, prevent, delay or ameliorate diseases associated with metabolic disorders, particularly disorders associated with diabetes.

BACKGROUND

Insulin and glucagon are two pancreatic hormones involved in regulating glucose homeostasis and metabolism. Glucagon is secreted from the α-cells of the pancreatic islets and regulates glucose homeostasis through modulation of hepatic glucose production (Quesada et al., J. Endocrinol. 2008. 199: 5-19). The main function of glucagon is to counteract the actions of insulin.

Dysregulation of glucose metabolism may be caused either by defective insulin secretion and/or action, or by impaired postprandial glucagon suppression (Shah et al., Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 1999. 277: E283-E290) Inhibition of postprandial glucagon secretion in diabetic subjects has been shown to substantially reduce blood glucose, suggesting that glucagon contributes significantly to the hyperglycemia seen in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (Shah et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2000. 85: 4053-4059).

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by impaired insulin secretion and/or action, and many subjects also exhibit inappropriate levels of circulating glucagon in the fasting and postprandial state. An increase in the glucagon/insulin ratio is likely an important determinant of the hyperglycemia seen in type 2 diabetes patients (Baron et al., Diabetes. 1987. 36: 274-283). Lack of suppression of postprandial glucagon secretion in subjects with T2DM also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of postprandial hyperglycemia (Henkel et al., Metabolism. 2005. 54: 1168-1173).

Glucagon exerts its action on target tissues via the activation of its receptor, GCGR. The glucagon receptor is a 62 kDa protein that is a member of the class B G-protein coupled family of receptors (Brubaker et al., Recept. Channels. 2002. 8: 179-88). GCGR activation leads to signal transduction by G proteins (G_(s)α and G_(q)), whereby G_(s)α activates adenylate cyclase, which causes cAMP production, resulting in an increase in levels of protein kinase A. GCGR signaling in the liver results in increased hepatic glucose production by induction of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis along with inhibition of glycogenesis (Jiang and Zhang. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 2003. 284: E671-E678). GCGR is also expressed in extrahepatic tissues, which includes heart, intestinal smooth muscle, kidney, brain, and adipose tissue (Hansen et al., Peptides. 1995. 16: 1163-1166).

Antisense inhibition of GCGR provides a unique advantage over traditional small molecule inhibitors in that antisense inhibitors do not rely on competitive binding of the compound to the protein and inhibit activity directly by reducing the expression of GCGR. A representative United States patent that teaches GCGR antisense inhibitors includes U.S. Pat. No. 7,750,142, of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Antisense technology is emerging as an effective means for reducing the expression of certain gene products and may therefore prove to be uniquely useful in a number of therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications for the modulation of GCGR.

There is a currently a lack of acceptable options for treating metabolic disorders. It is therefore an object herein to provide compounds and methods for the treatment of such diseases and disorder. This invention relates to the discovery of novel, highly potent inhibitors of GCGR gene expression.

All documents, or portions of documents, cited in this application, including, but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, books, and treatises, are hereby expressly incorporated-by-reference for the portions of the document discussed herein, as well as in their entirety.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for modulating expression of GCGR and treating, preventing, delaying or ameliorating diseases associated with metabolic disorders, particularly disorders associated with diabetes and/or a symptom thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive described herein, as claimed. Herein, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. As used herein, the use of “or” means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term “including” as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included”, is not limiting. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one subunit, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. All documents, or portions of documents, cited in this application, including, but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, books, and treatises, are hereby expressly incorporated-by-reference for the portions of the document discussed herein, as well as in their entirety.

DEFINITIONS

Unless specific definitions are provided, the nomenclature utilized in connection with, and the procedures and techniques of, analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry described herein are those well known and commonly used in the art. Standard techniques can be used for chemical synthesis, and chemical analysis. Where permitted, all documents, or portions of documents, cited in this application, including, but not limited to, all patents, applications, published applications and other journal publications, GENBANK Accession Numbers and associated sequence information obtainable through databases such as National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and other data referred to throughout in the disclosure herein are incorporated by reference for the portions of the document discussed herein, as well as in their entirety.

Unless otherwise indicated, the following terms have the following meanings:

“2′-O-methoxyethyl” (also 2′-MOE and 2′-O(CH₂)₂—OCH₃) refers to an O-methoxy-ethyl modification of the 2′ position of a furosyl ring. A 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar is a modified sugar.

“2′-O-methoxyethyl nucleotide” means a nucleotide comprising a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar moiety.

“3′ target site” refers to the nucleotide of a target nucleic acid which is complementary to the 3′-most nucleotide of a particular antisense compound.

“5′ target site” refers to the nucleotide of a target nucleic acid which is complementary to the 5′-most nucleotide of a particular antisense compound.

“5-methylcytosine” means a cytosine modified with a methyl group attached to the 5′ position. A 5-methylcytosine is a modified nucleobase.

“About” means within ±10% of a value. For example, if it is stated, “a marker may be increased by about 50%”, it is implied that the marker may be increased between 45%-55%.

“Active pharmaceutical agent” means the substance or substances in a pharmaceutical composition that provide a therapeutic benefit when administered to an individual. For example, in certain embodiments an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to GCGR is an active pharmaceutical agent.

“Active target region” or “target region” means a region to which one or more active antisense compounds is targeted. “Active antisense compounds” means antisense compounds that reduce target nucleic acid levels or protein levels.

“Adiposity” or “Obesity” refers to the state of being obese or an excessively high amount of body fat or adipose tissue in relation to lean body mass. The amount of body fat includes concern for both the distribution of fat throughout the body and the size and mass of the adipose tissue deposits. Body fat distribution can be estimated by skin-fold measures, waist-to-hip circumference ratios, or techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more are considered obese. The term “Obesity” as used herein includes conditions where there is an increase in body fat beyond the physical requirement as a result of excess accumulation of adipose tissue in the body. The term “obesity” includes, but is not limited to, the following conditions: adult-onset obesity; alimentary obesity; endogenous or inflammatory obesity; endocrine obesity; familial obesity; hyperinsulinar obesity; hyperplastic-hypertrophic obesity; hypogonadal obesity; hypothyroid obesity; lifelong obesity; morbid obesity and exogenous obesity.

“Administered concomitantly” refers to the co-administration of two agents in any manner in which the pharmacological effects of both are manifest in the patient at the same time. Concomitant administration does not require that both agents be administered in a single pharmaceutical composition, in the same dosage form, or by the same route of administration. The effects of both agents need not manifest themselves at the same time. The effects need only be overlapping for a period of time and need not be coextensive.

“Administering” means providing an agent to an animal, and includes, but is not limited to, administering by a medical professional and self-administering.

“Agent” means an active substance that can provide a therapeutic benefit when administered to an animal. “First Agent” means a therapeutic compound provided herein. For example, a first agent can be an antisense oligonucleotide targeting GCGR. “Second agent” means a second therapeutic compound described herein (e.g. a second antisense oligonucleotide targeting GCGR) and/or a non-GCGR therapeutic compound.

“Amelioration” refers to a lessening of at least one indicator, sign, or symptom of an associated disease, disorder, or condition. The severity of indicators can be determined by subjective or objective measures, which are known to those skilled in the art.

“Animal” refers to a human or non-human animal, including, but not limited to, mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, and non-human primates, including, but not limited to, monkeys and chimpanzees.

“Antisense activity” means any detectable or measurable activity attributable to the hybridization of an antisense compound to its target nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, antisense activity is a decrease in the amount or expression of a target nucleic acid or protein encoded by such target nucleic acid.

“Antisense compound” means an oligomeric compound that is capable of undergoing hybridization to a target nucleic acid through hydrogen bonding.

“Antisense inhibition” means reduction of target nucleic acid levels or target protein levels in the presence of an antisense compound complementary to a target nucleic acid compared to target nucleic acid levels or target protein levels in the absence of the antisense compound.

“Antisense oligonucleotide” means a single-stranded oligonucleotide having a nucleobase sequence that permits hybridization to a corresponding region or segment of a target nucleic acid.

“Bicyclic sugar” means a furosyl ring modified by the bridging of two non-geminal ring atoms. A bicyclic sugar is a modified sugar.

“Bicyclic nucleic acid” or “BNA” refers to a nucleoside or nucleotide wherein the furanose portion of the nucleoside or nucleotide includes a bridge connecting two carbon atoms on the furanose ring, thereby forming a bicyclic ring system.

“Cap structure” or “terminal cap moiety” means chemical modifications, which have been incorporated at either terminus of an antisense compound.

“Chemically distinct region” refers to a region of an antisense compound that is in some way chemically different than another region of the same antisense compound. For example, a region having 2′-O-methoxyethyl nucleotides is chemically distinct from a region having nucleotides without 2′-O-methoxyethyl modifications.

“Chimeric antisense compound” means an antisense compound that has at least two chemically distinct regions.

“Co-administration” means administration of two or more agents to an individual. The two or more agents can be in a single pharmaceutical composition, or can be in separate pharmaceutical compositions. Each of the two or more agents can be administered through the same or different routes of administration. Co-administration encompasses parallel or sequential administration.

“Cholesterol” is a sterol molecule found in the cell membranes of all animal tissues. Cholesterol must be transported in an animal's blood plasma by lipoproteins including very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL). “Plasma cholesterol” refers to the sum of all lipoproteins (VDL, IDL, LDL, HDL) esterified and/or non-esterified cholesterol present in the plasma or serum.

“Complementarity” means the capacity for pairing between nucleobases of a first nucleic acid and a second nucleic acid.

“Contiguous nucleobases” means nucleobases immediately adjacent to each other.

“Deoxyribonucleotide” means a nucleotide having a hydrogen at the 2′ position of the sugar portion of the nucleotide. Deoxyribonucleotides may be modified with any of a variety of substituents.

“Diabetes mellitus” or “diabetes” is a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism and abnormally high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) resulting from insufficient levels of insulin or reduced insulin sensitivity. The characteristic symptoms are excessive urine production (polyuria) due to high blood glucose levels, excessive thirst and increased fluid intake (polydipsia) attempting to compensate for increased urination, blurred vision due to high blood glucose effects on the eye's optics, unexplained weight loss, and lethargy.

“Diabetic dyslipidemia” or “type 2 diabetes with dyslipidemia” means a condition characterized by Type 2 diabetes, reduced HDL-C, elevated triglycerides, and elevated small, dense LDL particles.

“Diluent” means an ingredient in a composition that lacks pharmacological activity, but is pharmaceutically necessary or desirable. For example, the diluent in an injected composition can be a liquid, e.g. saline solution.

“Dyslipidemia” refers to a disorder of lipid and/or lipoprotein metabolism, including lipid and/or lipoprotein overproduction or deficiency. Dyslipidemias may be manifested by elevation of lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides as well as lipoproteins such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

“Dosage unit” means a form in which a pharmaceutical agent is provided, e.g. pill, tablet, or other dosage unit known in the art. In certain embodiments, a dosage unit is a vial containing lyophilized antisense oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, a dosage unit is a vial containing reconstituted antisense oligonucleotide.

“Dose” means a specified quantity of a pharmaceutical agent provided in a single administration, or in a specified time period. In certain embodiments, a dose can be administered in one, two, or more boluses, tablets, or injections. For example, in certain embodiments where subcutaneous administration is desired, the desired dose requires a volume not easily accommodated by a single injection, therefore, two or more injections can be used to achieve the desired dose. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical agent is administered by infusion over an extended period of time or continuously. Doses can be stated as the amount of pharmaceutical agent per hour, day, week, or month.

“Effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” means the amount of active pharmaceutical agent sufficient to effectuate a desired physiological outcome in an individual in need of the agent. The effective amount can vary among individuals depending on the health and physical condition of the individual to be treated, the taxonomic group of the individuals to be treated, the formulation of the composition, assessment of the individual's medical condition, and other relevant factors.

“Fully complementary” or “100% complementary” means each nucleobase of a nucleobase sequence of a first nucleic acid has a complementary nucleobase in a second nucleobase sequence of a second nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, a first nucleic acid is an antisense compound and a target nucleic acid is a second nucleic acid.

“Gapmer” means a chimeric antisense compound in which an internal region having a plurality of nucleosides that support RNase H cleavage is positioned between external regions having one or more nucleosides, wherein the nucleosides comprising the internal region are chemically distinct from the nucleoside or nucleosides comprising the external regions. The internal region can be referred to as a “gap segment” and the external regions can be referred to as “wing segments.”

“Gap-widened” means a chimeric antisense compound having a gap segment of 12 or more contiguous 2′-deoxyribonucleosides positioned between and immediately adjacent to 5′ and 3′ wing segments having from one to six nucleosides.

“Glucagon receptor” or “GCGR” means any nucleic acid or protein of GCGR.

“GCGR expression” means the level of mRNA transcribed from the gene encoding GCGR or the level of protein translated from the mRNA. GCGR expression can be determined by art known methods such as a Northern or Western blot.

“GCGR nucleic acid” means any nucleic acid encoding GCGR. For example, in certain embodiments, a GCGR nucleic acid includes a DNA sequence encoding GCGR, a RNA sequence transcribed from DNA encoding GCGR (including genomic DNA comprising introns and exons), and a mRNA sequence encoding GCGR. “GCGR mRNA” means a mRNA encoding a GCGR protein.

“Glucose” is a monosaccharide used by cells as a source of energy and inflammatory intermediate. “Plasma glucose” refers to glucose present in the plasma.

“Hybridization” means the annealing of complementary nucleic acid molecules. In certain embodiments, complementary nucleic acid molecules include an antisense compound and a target nucleic acid.

“Hyperlipidemia” or “hyperlipemia” is a condition characterized by elevated serum lipids or circulating (plasma) lipids. This condition manifests an abnormally high concentration of fats. The lipid fractions in the circulating blood are cholesterol, low density lipoproteins, very low density lipoproteins and triglycerides.

“Hypertriglyceridemia” means a condition characterized by elevated triglyceride levels.

“Identifying” or “selecting an animal with metabolic” means identifying or selecting a subject having been diagnosed with a metabolic disease, or a metabolic disorder; or, identifying or selecting a subject having any symptom of a metabolic disease, including, but not limited to, metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension increased insulin resistance, decreased insulin sensitivity, above normal body weight, and/or above normal body fat or any combination thereof. Such identification may be accomplished by any method, including but not limited to, standard clinical tests or assessments, such as measuring serum or circulating (plasma) blood-glucose, measuring serum or circulating (plasma) triglycerides, measuring blood-pressure, measuring body fat, measuring body weight, and the like.

“Immediately adjacent” means there are no intervening elements between the immediately adjacent elements.

“Individual” or “subject” or “animal” means a human or non-human animal selected for treatment or therapy.

“Inhibiting the expression or activity” refers to a reduction or blockade of the expression or activity of a RNA or protein and does not necessarily indicate a total elimination of expression or activity.

“Insulin resistance” is defined as the condition in which normal amounts of insulin are inadequate to produce a normal insulin response from fat, muscle and liver cells. Insulin resistance in fat cells results in hydrolysis of stored triglycerides, which elevates free fatty acids in the blood plasma. Insulin resistance in muscle reduces glucose uptake whereas insulin resistance in liver reduces glucose storage, with both effects serving to elevate blood glucose. High plasma levels of insulin and glucose due to insulin resistance often leads to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

“Insulin sensitivity” is a measure of how effectively an individual processes glucose. An individual having high insulin sensitivity effectively processes glucose whereas an individual with low insulin sensitivity does not effectively process glucose.

“Internucleoside linkage” refers to the chemical bond between nucleosides.

“Intravenous administration” means administration into a vein.

“Linked nucleosides” means adjacent nucleosides which are bonded together.

“Lipid-lowering therapy” or “lipid lowering agent” means a therapeutic regimen provided to a subject to reduce one or more lipids in a subject. In certain embodiments, a lipid-lowering therapy is provided to reduce one or more of ApoB, total cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, IDL-C, non-HDL-C, triglycerides, small dense LDL particles, and Lp(a) in a subject. Examples of lipid-lowering therapy include statins, fibrates, and MTP inhibitors.

“Major risk factors” refers to factors that contribute to a high risk for a particular disease or condition. In certain embodiments, major risk factors for coronary heart disease include, without limitation, cigarette smoking, hypertension, low HDL-C, family history of coronary heart disease, age, and other factors disclosed herein.

“Metabolic disease” or “metabolic disorder” refers to a condition characterized by an alteration or disturbance in metabolic function. “Metabolic” and “metabolism” are terms well known in the art and generally include the whole range of biochemical processes that occur within a living organism. Metabolic diseases or disorders include, but are not limited to, obesity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, prediabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetic dyslipidemia, or hypertriglyceridemia or a combination thereof.

“Metabolic syndrome” means a condition characterized by a clustering of lipid and non-lipid cardiovascular risk factors of metabolic origin. In certain embodiments, metabolic syndrome is identified by the presence of any 3 of the following factors: waist circumference of greater than 102 cm in men or greater than 88 cm in women; serum triglyceride of at least 150 mg/dL; HDL-C less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women; blood pressure of at least 130/85 mmHg; and fasting glucose of at least 110 mg/dL. These determinants can be readily measured in clinical practice (JAMA, 2001, 285: 2486-2497).

“Mismatch” or “non-complementary nucleobase” refers to the case when a nucleobase of a first nucleic acid is not capable of pairing with the corresponding nucleobase of a second or target nucleic acid.

“Mixed dyslipidemia” means a condition characterized by elevated cholesterol and elevated triglycerides.

“Modified internucleoside linkage” refers to a substitution or any change from a naturally occurring internucleoside bond (i.e. a phosphodiester internucleoside bond).

“Modified nucleobase” refers to any nucleobase other than adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymidine, or uracil. An “unmodified nucleobase” means the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C), and uracil (U).

“Modified nucleoside” means a nucleoside having, independently, a modified sugar moiety or modified nucleobase.

“Modified nucleotide” means a nucleotide having, independently, a modified sugar moiety, modified internucleoside linkage, or modified nucleobase. A “modified nucleoside” means a nucleoside having, independently, a modified sugar moiety or modified nucleobase.

“Modified oligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide comprising at least one modified nucleotide.

“Modified sugar” refers to a substitution or change from a natural sugar.

“Motif” means the pattern of chemically distinct regions in an antisense compound.

“Naturally occurring internucleoside linkage” means a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage.

“Natural sugar moiety” means a sugar found in DNA (2′-H) or RNA (2′-OH).

“Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” or “NAFLD” means a condition characterized by fatty inflammation of the liver that is not due to excessive alcohol use (for example, alcohol consumption of over 20 g/day). In certain embodiments, NAFLD is related to insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. NAFLD encompasses a disease spectrum ranging from simple triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes (hepatic steatosis) to hepatic steatosis with inflammation (steatohepatitis), fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

“Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis” (NASH) occurs from progression of NAFLD beyond deposition of triglycerides. A “second hit” capable of inducing necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis is required for development of NASH. Candidates for the second-hit can be grouped into broad categories: factors causing an increase in oxidative stress and factors promoting expression of proinflammatory cytokines

“Nucleic acid” refers to molecules composed of monomeric nucleotides. A nucleic acid includes ribonucleic acids (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA), single-stranded nucleic acids, double-stranded nucleic acids, small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNA), and microRNAs (miRNA). A nucleic acid can also comprise a combination of these elements in a single molecule.

“Nucleobase” means a heterocyclic moiety capable of pairing with a base of another nucleic acid.

“Nucleobase sequence” means the order of contiguous nucleobases independent of any sugar, linkage, or nucleobase modification.

“Nucleoside” means a nucleobase linked to a sugar.

“Nucleoside mimetic” includes those structures used to replace the sugar or the sugar and the base and not necessarily the linkage at one or more positions of an oligomeric compound such as for example nucleoside mimetics having morpholino, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexyl, tetrahydropyranyl, bicyclo or tricyclo sugar mimetics e.g. non furanose sugar units.

“Nucleotide” means a nucleoside having a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside.

“Nucleotide mimetic” includes those structures used to replace the nucleoside and the linkage at one or more positions of an oligomeric compound such as for example peptide nucleic acids or morpholinos (morpholinos linked by —N(H)—C(═O)—O— or other non-phosphodiester linkage).

“Oligomeric compound” or “oligomer” refers to a polymeric structure comprising two or more sub-structures and capable of hybridizing to a region of a nucleic acid molecule. In certain embodiments, oligomeric compounds are oligonucleosides. In certain embodiments, oligomeric compounds are oligonucleotides. In certain embodiments, oligomeric compounds are antisense compounds. In certain embodiments, oligomeric compounds are antisense oligonucleotides. In certain embodiments, oligomeric compounds are chimeric oligonucleotides.

“Oligonucleotide” means a polymer of linked nucleosides each of which can be modified or unmodified, independent one from another.

“Parenteral administration” means administration through injection or infusion. Parenteral administration includes subcutaneous administration, intravenous administration, intramuscular administration, intraarterial administration, intraperitoneal administration, or intracranial administration, e.g. intrathecal or intracerebroventricular administration. Administration can be continuous, or chronic, or short or intermittent.

“Peptide” means a molecule formed by linking at least two amino acids by amide bonds. Peptide refers to polypeptides and proteins.

“Pharmaceutical agent” means a substance that provides a therapeutic benefit when administered to an individual. For example, in certain embodiments, an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to GCGR is pharmaceutical agent.

“Pharmaceutical composition” means a mixture of substances suitable for administering to an individual. For example, a pharmaceutical composition can comprise one or more active agents and a sterile aqueous solution.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” means a medium or diluent that does not interfere with the structure of the oligonucleotide. Certain, of such carries enable pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as, for example, tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspension and lozenges for the oral ingestion by a subject. For example, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can be a sterile aqueous solution.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable derivative” encompasses pharmaceutically acceptable salts, conjugates, prodrugs or isomers of the compounds described herein.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salts” means physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of antisense compounds, i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent oligonucleotide and do not impart undesired toxicological effects thereto.

“Phosphorothioate linkage” means a linkage between nucleosides where the phosphodiester bond is modified by replacing one of the non-bridging oxygen atoms with a sulfur atom. A phosphorothioate linkage is a modified internucleoside linkage.

“Portion” means a defined number of contiguous (i.e. linked) nucleobases of a nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, a portion is a defined number of contiguous nucleobases of a target nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, a portion is a defined number of contiguous nucleobases of an antisense compound.

“Prevent” refers to delaying or forestalling the onset or development of a disease, disorder, or condition for a period of time from minutes to indefinitely. Prevent also means reducing risk of developing a disease, disorder, or condition.

“Prodrug” means a therapeutic agent that is prepared in an inactive form that is converted to an active form within the body or cells thereof by the action of endogenous enzymes or other chemicals or conditions.

“Side effects” means physiological responses attributable to a treatment other than the desired effects. In certain embodiments, side effects include injection site reactions, liver function test abnormalities, renal function abnormalities, liver toxicity, renal toxicity, central nervous system abnormalities, myopathies, and malaise. For example, increased aminotransferase levels in serum can indicate liver toxicity or liver function abnormality. For example, increased bilirubin can indicate liver toxicity or liver function abnormality.

“Single-stranded oligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide which is not hybridized to a complementary strand.

“Specifically hybridizable” refers to an antisense compound having a sufficient degree of complementarity between an antisense oligonucleotide and a target nucleic acid to induce a desired effect, while exhibiting minimal or no effects on non-target nucleic acids under conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e. under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays and therapeutic treatments.

“Statin” means an agent that inhibits the activity of HMG-CoA reductase.

“Subcutaneous administration” means administration just below the skin.

“Targeting” or “targeted” means the process of design and selection of an antisense compound that will specifically hybridize to a target nucleic acid and induce a desired effect.

“Target nucleic acid,” “target RNA,” and “target RNA transcript” all refer to a nucleic acid capable of being targeted by antisense compounds.

“Target segment” means the sequence of nucleotides of a target nucleic acid to which an antisense compound is targeted. “5′ target site” refers to the 5′-most nucleotide of a target segment. “3′ target site” refers to the 3′-most nucleotide of a target segment.

“Therapeutically effective amount” means an amount of an agent that provides a therapeutic benefit to an individual.

“Therapeutic lifestyle change” means dietary and lifestyle changes intended to lower fat/adipose tissue mass and/or cholesterol. Such change can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, and may includes recommendations for dietary intake of total daily calories, total fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, carbohydrate, protein, cholesterol, insoluble fiber, as well as recommendations for physical activity.

“Triglyceride” or “TG” means a lipid or neutral fat consisting of glycerol combined with three fatty acid molecules.

“Type 2 diabetes,” (also known as “type 2 diabetes mellitus” or “diabetes mellitus, type 2”, and formerly called “diabetes mellitus type 2”, “non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM)”, “obesity related diabetes”, or “adult-onset diabetes”) is a metabolic disorder that is primarily characterized by insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency, and hyperglycemia.

“Treat” refers to administering a pharmaceutical composition to an animal to effect an alteration or improvement of a disease, disorder, or condition.

“Unmodified nucleotide” means a nucleotide composed of naturally occurring nucleobases, sugar moieties, and internucleoside linkages. In certain embodiments, an unmodified nucleotide is an RNA nucleotide (i.e. β-D-ribonucleosides) or a DNA nucleotide (i.e. β-D-deoxyribonucleoside).

Certain Embodiments

Certain embodiments provide methods, compounds, and compositions for inhibiting GCGR expression.

Certain embodiments provide antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, the GCGR nucleic acid is any of the sequences set forth in GENBANK Accession No. NM_(—)000160.3 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1) or GENBANK Accession No: NW_(—)926918.1 truncated from nucleotides 16865000 to 16885000 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2). In certain embodiments, GCGR has the rhesus monkey sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12 to 30 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein consist of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of any of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein consist of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of any of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compound or composition provided herein is or comprises ISIS NOs: 449884, 459014, 398471, 448766, or 459157.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein consist of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein consist of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compound or composition is or comprises ISIS NO: 449884.

In certain embodiments, the compound or composition is or comprises ISIS NO: 459014.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 15 to 30 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein consist of 15 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of any of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein consist of 15 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of any of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compound or composition provided herein is or comprises ISIS NOs: 449884, 459014, 398471, 448766, or 459157.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein consist of 15 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein consist of 15 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compound or composition provided herein is or comprise ISIS NO: 449884.

In certain embodiments, the compound or composition provided herein is or comprise ISIS NO: 459014.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 16 to 21 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 16 to 21 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of any of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 16 to 21 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of any of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 16 to 21 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 16 to 21 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 to 35 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein can consist of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein can consist of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 30 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 30 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 25 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 25 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 25 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 25 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 25 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions described herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 24 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 24 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 24 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 24 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 24 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 23 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 23 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 23 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 23 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 23 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 22 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 22 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 22 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 22 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 22 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 21 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 21 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 21 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 21 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 21 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17, contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides and have a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a salt of the modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complementary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3 as measured over the entirety of the modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide has at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 4-115 as measured over the entirety of the modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide has at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85 as measured over the entirety of the modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide has at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 11 as measured over the entirety of the modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide has at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 80 as measured over the entirety of the modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds or modified oligonucleotides targets a region of a GCGR nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, such compounds or oligonucleotides targeted to a region of a GCGR nucleic acid have a contiguous nucleobase portion that is complementary to an equal length nucleobase portion of the region. For example, the portion can be at least an 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 contiguous nucleobases portion complementary to an equal length portion of a region recited herein. In certain embodiments, such compounds or oligonucleotide target the following nucleotide regions of SEQ ID NO: 2: 6691-6707, 7267-7280, 7267-7283, 7267-7284, 7267-7285, 7267-7286, 7267-7287, 7267-7457, 7268-7284, 7268-7285, 7268-7286, 7268-7287, 7269-7285, 7269-7286, 7269-7287, 7270-7285, 7270-7286, 7270-7287, 7271-7287, 7291-7312, 7292-7308, 7292-7309, 7292-7310, 7292-7311, 7292-7312, 7293-7309, 7293-7310, 7293-7311, 7293-7312, 7294-7310, 7294-7311, 7294-7312, 7295-7310, 7295-7311, 7295-7312, 7296-7312, 7316-7332, 7316-7333, 7316-7334, 7316-7335, 7316-7336, 7317-7333, 7317-7334, 7317-7335, 7317-7336, 7318-7334, 7318-7335, 7318-7336, 7319-7334, 7319-7335, 7319-7336, 7320-7336, 7339-7405, 7339-7406, 7339-7407, 7339-7408, 7339-7409, 7341-7354, 7341-7357, 7341-7358, 7341-7359, 7341-7360, 7341-7361, 7342-7358, 7342-7359, 7342-7360, 7342-7361, 7343-7359, 7343-7360, 7343-7361, 7344-7360, 7344-7361, 7345-7361, 7347-7456, 7365-7381, 7365-7382, 7365-7383, 7365-7384, 7365-7385, 7366-7382, 7366-7383, 7366-7384, 7366-7385, 7367-7383, 7367-7384, 7367-7385, 7368-7383, 7368-7384, 7368-7385, 7369-7385, 7388-7382, 7389-7407, 7389-7408, 7389-7409, 7390-7406, 7390-7407, 7390-7408, 7390-7409, 7391-7407, 7391-7408, 7391-7409, 7392-7407, 7392-7408, 7392-7409, 7393-7409, 7413-7433, 7414-7430, 7414-7431, 7414-7432, 7414-7433, 7415-7431, 7415-7432, 7415-7433, 7416-7432, 7416-7433, 7417-7433, 7437-7453, 7437-7454, 7437-7455, 7437-7456, 7437-7457, 7438-7454, 7438-7455, 7438-7456, 7438-7457, 7439-7455, 7439-7456, 7439-7457, 7440-7455, 7440-7456, 7440-7457, 7441-7457, 7740-7756, 7782-7798, 7782-7801, 7782-7913, 7783-7799, 7785-7801, 7785-7913, 7897-7913, 8030-8049, 8132-8151, 8133-8152, 8133-8155, 8133-8156, 8133-8157, 8133-8159, 8139-8155, 8139-8156, 8139-8157, 8139-8159, 8140-8156, 8140-8157, 8140-8159, 8141-8157, 8141-8159, 8141-8160, 8143-8159, 8144-8160, 8386-8402, 8448-8464, 8454-8473, 9002-9019, 9002-9020, 9002-9021, 9002-9026, 9003-9019, 9003-9020, 9003-9021, 9003-9026, 9004-9020, 9004-9021, 9004-9026, 9008-9027, 9010-9026, 9130-9146, 9245-9264, 9246-9262, 9249-9265, 9592-9611, 9804-9823, 9808-9824, 10667-10683, 10667-10684, 10667-10695, 10668-10684, 10668-10695, 10676-10683, 10676-10684, 10676-10695, 10718-10734, 10772-10788, 11667-11686, 11667-11691, 11667-11695, 11675-11691, 11675-11695, 11676-11695, 11724-11741, 11724-11743, 11725-11741, 11725-11743, 11818-11834, 11819-11835, 11819-11838, 11819-11842, 11826-11842, 11962-11978, 12025-12044, 12025-12046, 12025-12049, 12025-12051, 12025-12052, 12026-12042, 12026-12044, 12026-12046, 12026-12047, 12026-12048, 12026-12049, 12026-12050, 12026-12051, 12026-12055, 12027-12046, 12027-12049, 12027-12051, 12027-12052, 12028-12044, 12028-12046, 12028-12047, 12028-12048, 12028-12049, 12028-12050, 12028-12051, 12028-12055, 12029-12045, 12029-12046, 12029-12047, 12029-12048, 12029-12049, 12029-12050, 12029-12051, 12029-12055, 12030-12046, 12030-12047, 12030-12048, 12030-12049, 12030-12050, 12030-12051, 12030-12055, 12031-12045, 12031-12048, 12031-12049, 12031-12050, 12031-12051, 12031-12055, 12032-12048, 12032-12049, 12032-12050, 12032-12051, 12032-12052, 12032-12055, 12033-12049, 12033-12050, 12033-12051, 12033-12052, 12033-12055, 12035-12051, 12035-12055, 12036-12055, 12175-12091, 12175-12094, 12178-12194, 13003-13022, 13034-13050, 13303-13022, 13314-13333, 13366-13382, 13490-13509, 13515-13534, 14138-14157, 14779-14795, 15007-15023, 15075-15094, 15075-15113, 15075-15121, 15075-15127, 15075-15133, 15094-15113, 15094-15121, 15094-15127, 15094-15133, 15102-15121, 15102-15127, 15102-15133, 15108-15127, 15108-15133, 15114-15133, 15374-15390, 15716-15735, 15742-15761, 15742-15762, 15743-15762, 15744-15760, 15744-15762, 15744-15763, 15744-15764, 15744-15765, 15745-15764, 15745-15765, 15746-15760, 15746-15762, 15746-15763, 15746-15764, 15746-15765, 15747-15763, 15747-15764, 15747-15765, 15748-15764, 15748-15765, and 15749-15765.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds or modified oligonucleotides target a region of a GCGR nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, such compounds or oligonucleotides targeted to a region of a GCGR nucleic acid have a contiguous nucleobase portion that is complementary to an equal length nucleobase portion of the region. For example, the portion can be at least an 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 contiguous nucleobases portion complementary to an equal length portion of a region recited herein. In certain embodiments, such compounds or oligonucleotide target the following nucleotide regions of SEQ ID NO: 2: 7267-7287, 7270-7286, 7292-7312, 7295-7311, 7316-7336, 7319-7335, 7341-7361, 7344-7360, 7365-7385, 7368-7384, 7389-7409, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7457, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, and 15743-15762.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds or modified oligonucleotides targets a region of a GCGR nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, such compounds or oligonucleotides targeted to a region of a GCGR nucleic acid have a contiguous nucleobase portion that is complementary to an equal length nucleobase portion of the region. For example, the portion can be at least an 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 contiguous nucleobases portion complementary to an equal length portion of a region recited herein. In certain embodiments, such compounds or oligonucleotide target the following nucleotide regions of SEQ ID NO: 2: 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7440-7456 and 10716-10734.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate at least 70% inhibition of a GCGR gene sequence: ISIS NOs: 325568, 310457, 449823, 450035, 449881, 449882, 398457, 449883, 449884, 449885, 450039, 449894, 449895, 450040, 398471, 449905, 449906, 449907, 449908, 449910, 449912, 398486, 449916, 449917, 449922, 450049, 450050, 448762, 448766, 450054, 449759, 449760, 436034, 450059, 448799, 449938, 448802, 398585, 449944, 449945, 448806, 450061, 449948, 449949, 449951, 398504, 449952, 449953, 449954, 448817, 449955, 449956, 449958, 448818, 449960, 448819, 449797, 448840, 449967, 448848, 448850, 449819, 448860, 449836, 450074, 448890, 448897, 448901, 448903, 448905, 449851, 449856, 449858, 449859, 449860, 449861, 315163, 459032, 459046, 459076, 459157, 459010, 459011, 459058, 459088, 459087, 459086, 459083, 459082, 459158, 448754, 448718, 448730, 448738, 436140, 398455, 398470, 398491, 398501, 398503, 398506, 398507, 398508, 304535, 304538, 304539, 436141, and 436164.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate at least 75% inhibition of a GCGR gene sequence: ISIS NOs: 325568, 310457, 449823, 450035, 449881, 449882, 398457, 449883, 449884, 449885, 450039, 449894, 449895, 450040, 398471, 449905, 449906, 449907, 449908, 449910, 449912, 398486, 449916, 449917, 449922, 450049, 450050, 448762, 448766, 450054, 449759, 449760, 450059, 448799, 449938, 448802, 398585, 449944, 449945, 448806, 450061, 449948, 449949, 449951, 398504, 449952, 449953, 449954, 448817, 449955, 449956, 449958, 448818, 449960, 448819, 449797, 448840, 449967, 448848, 448850, 449819, 448860, 449836, 450074, 448890, 448897, 448901, 448903, 448905, 449851, 449856, 449858, 449859, 449860, 449861, 459032, 459076, 459157, 459010, 459011, 459058, 459088, 459087, 459086, 459083, 459082, 459158, 448754, 448718, 448738, 436140, 398455, 398470, 398491, 398501, 398503, 398506, 398507, 398508, 304535, 304538, 304539, 436141, and 436164.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate at least 80% inhibition of a GCGR gene sequence: ISIS NOs: 310457, 449823, 450035, 449881, 449882, 398457, 449883, 449884, 449885, 450039, 449894, 449895, 450040, 398471, 449905, 449906, 449907, 449908, 449910, 449912, 398486, 449916, 449917, 449922, 450049, 450050, 448762, 448766, 450054, 449759, 449760, 450059, 448799, 449938, 448802, 398585, 449944, 449945, 448806, 450061, 449948, 449949, 449951, 398504, 449952, 449953, 449954, 448817, 449955, 449956, 449958, 448818, 449960, 448819, 449797, 448840, 449967, 448848, 448850, 449819, 449836, 450074, 448890, 448897, 448901, 448903, 448905, 449851, 449856, 449858, 449859, 449860, 449861, 459032, 459076, 459157, 459010, 459011, 459088, 459087, 459086, 459083, 459082, 459158, 448718, 436140, 398455, 398470, 398491, 398501, 398503, 398506, 398507, 398508, 304535, 304538, 304539, 436141, and 436164.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate at least 85% inhibition of a GCGR gene sequence: ISIS NOs: 310457, 449823, 449881, 449882, 398457, 449883, 449884, 449885, 450039, 449894, 449895, 449905, 449906, 449907, 449910, 398486, 449916, 449917, 449922, 450049, 448766, 449760, 450059, 449938, 448802, 398585, 449945, 448806, 450061, 449948, 449949, 449951, 398504, 449952, 449953, 449954, 448817, 449955, 449956, 449958, 449960, 448819, 449967, 448848, 449836, 450074, 448890, 448903, 449851, 449856, 449858, 449859, 449860, 459157, 459010, 459011, 459088, 459087, 459086, 459083, 459082, 459158, 436140, 398455, 398470, 398503, 398506, 398507, 398508, 304535, 304538, 304539, 436141, and 436164.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate at least 90% inhibition of a GCGR gene sequence: ISIS NOs: 449823, 398457, 449883, 449884, 449885, 449894, 449895, 449906, 398486, 449917, 449938, 449945, 448806, 450061, 449951, 398504, 449952, 449953, 449954, 448817, 449955, 449958, 449960, 448819, 448848, 450074, 449859, 459157, 459010, 459087, 459086, 459083, 459082, 459158, 436140, 398503, 398507, 304535, 304538, 304539, 436141, and 436164.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate at least 90% inhibition of a GCGR gene sequence: ISIS NOs: 398457, 449883, 398486, 448806, 448817, 448819, 459010, 459087, 459086, 398507, 304535, and 304538.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate an IC₅₀ value of less than 3 μM: ISIS NOs: 304535, 304538, 304539, 398455, 398457, 398470, 398471, 398486, 398491, 398501, 398503, 398504, 398506, 398507, 398508, 398585, 436034, 436140, 436141, 436164, 448718, 448730, 448738, 448754, 448762, 448766, 448799, 448802, 448806, 448817, 448818, 448819, 448840, 448848, 448850, 448860, 448890, 448897, 448901, 448903, 448905, 449884, 459009, 459010, 459011, 459014, 459024, 459032, 459040, 459046, 459058, 459063, 459076, 459082, 459083, 459086, 459087, 459088, 459157, and 459158.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate an IC₅₀ value of less than 1 μM: ISIS NOs: 304535, 304538, 304539, 398455, 398457, 398470, 398471, 398486, 398491, 398501, 398503, 398504, 398506, 398507, 398508, 398585, 436034, 436140, 436141, 436164, 448718, 448730, 448738, 448754, 448762, 448766, 448799, 448802, 448806, 448817, 448818, 448819, 448840, 448848, 448850, 448860, 448890, 448897, 448901, 448903, 448905, 449884, 459009, 459010, 459011, 459024, 459032, 459040, 459046, 459058, 459063, 459076, 459082, 459083, 459086, 459087, 459088, 459157, and 459158.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate an IC₅₀ value of less than 0.5 μM: ISIS NOs: 304535, 304538, 304539, 398455, 398457, 398470, 398471, 398486, 398491, 398501, 398503, 398504, 398506, 398507, 398508, 398585, 436034, 436140, 436141, 436164, 448718, 448730, 448738, 448754, 448762, 448799, 448802, 448806, 448817, 448818, 448819, 448840, 448848, 448850, 448860, 448890, 448897, 448901, 448903, 448905, 449884, 459009, 459010, 459011, 459024, 459040, 459046, 459058, 459063, 459076, 459082, 459083, 459086, 459087, 459088, 459157, and 459158.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate an IC₅₀ value of less than 0.3 μM: ISIS NOs: 304535, 304538, 398455, 398457, 398470, 398471, 398486, 398504, 398506, 398507, 436164, 448718, 448730, 448762, 446766, 448799, 448802, 448806, 448817, 448819, 448848, 448850, 448860, 448890, 448897, 448905, 449884, 459010, 459011, 459040, 459046, 459076, 459082, 459083, 459086, 459087, 459088, 459157, and 459158.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate an IC₅₀ value of less than 0.2 μM: ISIS NOs: 304538, 398457, 398486, 398504, 398506, 398507, 448730, 448802, 448819, 448848, 448850, 448890, 449884, 459010, 459011, 459040, 459076, 459082, 459083, 459157, and 459158.

In certain embodiments, the following antisense compounds target a region of SEQ ID NO: 2, a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR and demonstrate an IC₅₀ value of less than 0.1 μM: ISIS NOs: 398457, 398507, 448819, 448848, 448850, 459010, 459011, 459083, 459157, and 459158.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides wherein the linked nucleosides comprise at least an 8 contiguous nucleobase portion that is complementary to an equal length nucleobase portion within the region selected from nucleotides 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7440-7456 or 10716-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has at least a 9, at least a 10, at least an 11, at least a 12, at least a 13, at least a 14, at least a 15, or at least a 16, contiguous nucleobase portion of which is complementary to an equal length portion within the region selected from nucleotides 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7440-7456 or 10716-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide is 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% complementary to a nucleic acid encoding human GCGR eg. SEQ ID No: 2

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of at least 17 linked nucleosides 60% complementary within the region selected from nucleotides 7267-7287, 7270-7286, 7292-7312, 7295-7311, 7316-7336, 7319-7335, 7341-7361, 7344-7360, 7365-7385, 7368-7384, 7389-7409, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7457, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, or 15743-15762 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of at least 17 linked nucleosides 70% complementary within the region selected from nucleotides 7267-7287, 7270-7286, 7292-7312, 7295-7311, 7316-7336, 7319-7335, 7341-7361, 7344-7360, 7365-7385, 7368-7384, 7389-7409, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7457, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, or 15743-15762 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of at least 17 linked nucleosides 80% complementary within the region selected from 7267-7287, 7270-7286, 7292-7312, 7295-7311, 7316-7336, 7319-7335, 7341-7361, 7344-7360, 7365-7385, 7368-7384, 7389-7409, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7457, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, or 15743-15762 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of at least 17 linked nucleosides 90% complementary within the region selected from nucleotides 7267-7287, 7270-7286, 7292-7312, 7295-7311, 7316-7336, 7319-7335, 7341-7361, 7344-7360, 7365-7385, 7368-7384, 7389-7409, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7457, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, or 15743-15762 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of at least 17 linked nucleosides 95% complementary within the region selected from nucleotides 7267-7287, 7270-7286, 7292-7312, 7295-7311, 7316-7336, 7319-7335, 7341-7361, 7344-7360, 7365-7385, 7368-7384, 7389-7409, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7457, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, or 15743-15762 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of at least 17 linked nucleosides 99% complementary within the region selected from nucleotides 7267-7287, 7270-7286, 7292-7312, 7295-7311, 7316-7336, 7319-7335, 7341-7361, 7344-7360, 7365-7385, 7368-7384, 7389-7409, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7457, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, or 15743-15762 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of at least 17 linked nucleosides 100% complementary within the region selected from nucleotides 7267-7287, 7270-7286, 7292-7312, 7295-7311, 7316-7336, 7319-7335, 7341-7361, 7344-7360, 7365-7385, 7368-7384, 7389-7409, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7457, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, or 15743-15762 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 60% complementary within nucleotides 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, and 7440-7456 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 70% complementary within nucleotides 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, and 7440-7456 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 80% complementary within nucleotides 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, and 7440-7456 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 90% complementary within nucleotides 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, and 7440-7456 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 95% complementary within nucleotides 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, and 7440-7456 of SEQ ID NO: 2

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 99% complementary within nucleotides 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, and 7440-7456 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 100% complementary within nucleotides 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, and 7440-7456 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 60% complementary within nucleotides 10718-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 70% complementary within nucleotides 10718-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 80% complementary within nucleotides 10718-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 90% complementary within nucleotides 10718-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 95% complementary within nucleotides 10718-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 99% complementary within nucleotides 10718-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Certain embodiments provide compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides 100% complementary within nucleotides 10718-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

In certain embodiments, such compounds or oligonucleotides targeted to a region of a GCGR nucleic acid have a contiguous nucleobase portion that is complementary to an equal length nucleobase portion of the region 7270-7286, 7295-7311, 7319-7335, 7344-7360, 7368-7384, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7440-7456 or 10718-10734 of SEQ ID NO: 2

In certain embodiments, the following nucleotide regions of SEQ ID NO: 2, when targeted by antisense compounds or oligonucleotides, displays at least 65% inhibition: 7267-7287, 7270-7286, 7292-7312, 7295-7311, 7316-7336, 7319-7335, 7341-7361, 7344-7360, 7365-7385, 7368-7384, 7389-7409, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7457, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, or 15743-15762.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequences recited in the following SEQ ID NOs display at least 70% inhibition of a GCGR nucleic acid: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 96, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequences recited in the following SEQ ID NOs display at least 75% inhibition of a GCGR nucleic acid: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 81, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 96, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequences recited in the following SEQ ID NOs display at least 80% inhibition of a GCGR nucleic acid: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 81, 84, 85, 86, 87, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 96, 99, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequences recited in the following SEQ ID NOs display at least 85% inhibition of a GCGR nucleic acid: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 61, 62, 66, 67, 68, 71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 85, 86, 87, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 96, 102, 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequences recited in the following SEQ ID NOs display at least 90% inhibition of a GCGR nucleic acid: 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 19, 24, 26, 38, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 62, 67, 76, 85, 86, 91, 92, 93, 95, 96, 102, 107, 109, 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequences recited in the following SEQ ID NOs display at least 95% inhibition of a GCGR nucleic acid: 9, 10, 24, 43, 52, 58, 86, 91, 92, 109, 111, and 112.

In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein have a greater therapeutic potential than ISIS NOs: 315163, 325568, and 310457 (Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,853 and US Published Patent Application No. US2007-0087987, incorporated herein by reference). In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein have better in vivo inhibition over ISIS NOs: 315163, 325568, and 310457. In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein have a better tolerability profile than ISIS NOs: 315163, 325568, and 310457.

In certain embodiments, the compound provided herein consists of a single-stranded modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 or 35 linked nucleosides. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 21 linked nucleosides. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 20 linked nucleosides. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 19 linked nucleosides. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 18 linked nucleosides. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 17 linked nucleosides. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 16 linked nucleosides.

In certain embodiments, at least one internucleoside linkage of the modified oligonucleotide is a modified internucleoside linkage. In certain embodiments, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, at least one nucleoside of said modified oligonucleotide comprises a modified nucleobase. In certain embodiments, the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 20 linked nucleosides, the gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides, the 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides, the 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 17 linked nucleosides, the gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides, the 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides, the 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide consists of 21 linked nucleosides, the gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides, the 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides, the 3′ wing segment consisting of six linked nucleosides, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleobases complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleobases complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 19 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 17, 24, 30, 31, 35, 37, 39, 40, 43, 48, 52, 56, 58, 60, 62, 63, 65, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 79, 79, 79, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 19 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 17 or 31 wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 16 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 17, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 16 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 31, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleobases complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleobases complementary to an equal length portion of any of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 16 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 36, 38, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 59, 61, 64, 66, 67, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 88, 89, and 97, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 16 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 11 or 80, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 16 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 11, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 16 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NO: 80, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 21 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 85 and 96, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of six linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 21 linked nucleosides having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleobases of SEQ ID NOs: 85 wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a) a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of five linked nucleosides; and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of six linked nucleosides. The gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage and each cytosine residue is a 5-methylcytosine.

Certain embodiments provide methods, compounds, and compositions for inhibiting GCGR expression.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing GCGR expression in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound as described herein. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 12 to 30 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 15 to 30 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 18 to 21 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 to 35 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 to 25 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 to 24 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 to 23 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 to 22 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 to 21 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 20 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 21 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR.

Certain embodiments provide a method of preventing, ameliorating or treating a metabolic disease in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound as described herein. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 12 to 30 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. Examples of metabolic diseases or disorders include, but are not limited to diabetes, hyperglycemia, prediabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetic dyslipidemia, or hypertriglyceridemia or a combination thereof.

Certain embodiments provide a method of preventing, ameliorating or treating obesity in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound as described herein. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 12 to 30 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 20 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 21 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises the compound of ISIS NOs: 449884, 459014, 398471, 448766, or 459157. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises the compound of ISIS NO: 449884. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises the compound of ISIS NO: 459014.

Certain embodiments provide a method of preventing, ameliorating or treating diabetes in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound as described herein. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 12 to 30 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 20 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 21 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises the compound of ISIS NOs: 449884, 459014, 398471, 448766, or 459157. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises the compound of ISIS NO: 449884. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises the compound of ISIS NO: 459014.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing body weight in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound as described herein. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 12 to 30 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, reduction of body weight in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats a metabolic disease. In certain embodiments, reduction of body weight in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats diabetes. In certain embodiments, reduction of body weight in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats obesity. In certain embodiments, reduction of body weight in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats metabolic syndrome. In certain embodiments, reduction of body weight in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats insulin resistance. In certain embodiments, reduction of body weight in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats hyperglycemia. In certain embodiments, reduction of body weight in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats NAFLD. In certain embodiments, reduction of body weight in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats diabetic dyslipidemia. In certain embodiments, the glucose levels are reduced by at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 100%.

Certain embodiments provide a method of reducing glucose levels in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound as described herein. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 12 to 30 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide 17 linked nucleosides in length targeted to GCGR. In certain embodiments, reduction of glucose levels in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats a metabolic disease. In certain embodiments, reduction of glucose levels in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats diabetes. In certain embodiments, reduction of glucose levels in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats obesity. In certain embodiments, reduction of glucose levels in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats metabolic syndrome. In certain embodiments, reduction of glucose levels in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats insulin resistance. In certain embodiments, reduction of glucose levels in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats hyperglycemia. In certain embodiments, reduction of glucose levels in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats NAFLD. In certain embodiments, reduction of glucose levels in an animal prevents, ameliorates or treats diabetic dyslipidemia. In certain embodiments, the glucose level is reduced by at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 100%.

In certain embodiments, GCGR has the human sequence as set forth in any of the GENBANK Accession Numbers: GENBANK Accession No. NM_(—)000160.3 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1) or GENBANK Accession No: NW_(—)926918.1 truncated from nucleotides 16865000 to 16885000 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2). In certain embodiments, GCGR has the rhesus monkey sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85 or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 to 25 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85 or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 20 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85 or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 11 or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 25 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 16 or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 16 or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions provided herein comprise a salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 80 or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 25 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 45 or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 45 or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Certain embodiments provide a method for treating an animal with a GCGR related disease or condition comprising: a) identifying said animal with the GCGR related disease or condition, and b) administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence at least 90% complementary to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3 as measured over the entirety of said modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound administered to the animal treats or reduces the GCGR related disease or condition, or a symptom thereof, in the animal. In certain embodiments, the GCGR related disease or condition is obesity. In certain embodiments, the GCGR related disease or condition is diabetes.

Certain embodiments provide a method for treating an animal with a GCGR related disease or condition comprising: a) identifying said animal with the GCGR related disease or condition, and b) administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence at least 100% complementary to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3 as measured over the entirety of said modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the compound administered to the animal treats or reduces the GCGR related disease or condition, or a symptom thereof, in the animal. In certain embodiments, the GCGR related disease or condition is obesity. In certain embodiments, the GCGR related disease or condition is diabetes.

Certain embodiments provide methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating a metabolic disease. In certain embodiments the metabolic disease is obesity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, prediabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetic dyslipidemia, or hypertriglyceridemia or a combination thereof.

Certain embodiments provide methods comprising administering a compound as described herein to an animal. In certain embodiments, the method comprises administering to an animal a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NOs: 11, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

Certain embodiments provide methods comprising administering a compound as described herein to an animal. In certain embodiments, the method comprises administering to an animal a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 1, 17, 31, 80, or 85.

Certain embodiments provide methods comprising administering a compound as described herein to an animal. In certain embodiments, the method comprises administering to an animal a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence selected from among the nucleobase sequences recited in SEQ ID NO: 11.

Certain embodiments provide methods comprising administering a compound as described herein to an animal. In certain embodiments, the method comprises administering to an animal a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least 17 contiguous nucleobases of a nucleobase sequence selected from among the nucleobase sequences recited in SEQ ID NO: 80

In certain embodiments, the animal is a human.

In certain embodiments, the administering prevents, treats, ameliorates, or slows progression of a metabolic disease as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the administering prevents, treats, ameliorates, or slows progression of obesity as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the administering prevents, treats, ameliorates, or slows progression of diabetes as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the compound is co-administered with a second agent.

In certain embodiments, the compound and the second agent are administered concomitantly.

In certain embodiments, the administering is parenteral administration.

Certain embodiments further provide a method to reduce GCGR mRNA or protein expression in an animal comprising administering to the animal a compound or composition as described herein to reduce GCGR mRNA or protein expression in the animal. In certain embodiments, the animal is a human. In certain embodiments, reducing GCGR mRNA or protein expression prevents, treats, ameliorates, or slows progression of metabolic disease. In certain embodiments, the metabolic disease or condition is diabetes. In certain embodiments, the metabolic disease or condition is obesity.

Certain embodiments provide a method for treating a human with a metabolic disease comprising identifying the human with the disease and administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition as described herein. In certain embodiments, the treatment reduces a symptom selected from the group consisting of metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, increased glucose levels, increased insulin resistance, decreased insulin sensitivity, above normal body weight, and/or above normal body fat or any combination thereof.

Certain embodiments provide a method for treating a human with obesity comprising identifying the human with the disease and administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition as described herein. In certain embodiments, the treatment reduces a symptom selected from the group consisting of metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, increased glucose levels, increased insulin resistance, decreased insulin sensitivity, above normal body weight, and/or above normal body fat or any combination thereof.

Certain embodiments provide a method for treating a human with diabetes comprising identifying the human with the disease and administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition as described herein. In certain embodiments, the treatment reduces a symptom selected from the group consisting of metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, increased glucose levels, increased insulin resistance, decreased insulin sensitivity, above normal body weight, and/or above normal body fat or any combination thereof.

Further provided is a method for reducing or preventing metabolic disease comprising administering to a human a therapeutically effective amount compound or composition as described herein, thereby reducing or preventing metabolic disease.

Further provided is a method for reducing or preventing obesity comprising administering to a human a therapeutically effective amount compound or composition as described herein, thereby reducing or preventing diabetes.

Further provided is a method for reducing or preventing diabetes comprising administering to a human a therapeutically effective amount compound or composition as described herein, thereby reducing or preventing diabetes.

Further provided is a method for ameliorating a symptom of metabolic disease, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby ameliorating a symptom of metabolic disease in the human.

Further provided is a method for ameliorating a symptom of diabetes, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby ameliorating a symptom of diabetes in the human.

Further provided is a method for ameliorating a symptom of metabolic disease, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby ameliorating a symptom of metabolic disease in the human.

Further provided is a method for ameliorating a symptom of diabetes, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby ameliorating a symptom of diabetes in the human.

Further provided is a method for ameliorating a symptom of metabolic disease, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby ameliorating a symptom of metabolic disease in the human.

Further provided is a method for ameliorating a symptom of diabetes, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby ameliorating a symptom of diabetes in the human.

Further provided is a method for reducing the rate of progression of a symptom associated with metabolic disease, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby reducing the rate of progression a symptom of metabolic disease in the human.

Further provided is a method for reducing the rate of progression of a symptom associated with diabetes, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 to 35 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby reducing the rate of progression a symptom of diabetes in the human.

Further provided is a method for reducing the rate of progression of a symptom associated with metabolic disease, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby reducing the rate of progression a symptom of metabolic disease in the human.

Further provided is a method for reducing the rate of progression of a symptom associated with diabetes, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby reducing the rate of progression a symptom of diabetes in the human.

Further provided is a method for reducing the rate of progression of a symptom associated with metabolic disease, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby reducing the rate of progression a symptom of metabolic disease in the human.

Further provided is a method for reducing the rate of progression of a symptom associated with diabetes, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 17 linked nucleosides, wherein said modified oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, thereby reducing the rate of progression a symptom of diabetes in the human.

Also provided are methods and compounds for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of metabolic disease.

Also provided are methods and compounds for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of obesity.

Also provided are methods and compounds for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of diabetes.

Also provided are methods and compounds for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of metabolic syndrome.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, ameliorating, or preventing metabolic disease.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, ameliorating, or preventing obesity.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, ameliorating, or preventing diabetes.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, ameliorating, or preventing metabolic syndrome.

Certain embodiments provide a compound as described herein for use in treating, preventing, or ameliorating metabolic disease as described herein by combination therapy with an additional agent or therapy as described herein. Agents or therapies can be co-administered or administered concomitantly.

Certain embodiments provide a compound as described herein for use in treating, preventing, or ameliorating diabetes as described herein by combination therapy with an additional agent or therapy as described herein. Agents or therapies can be co-administered or administered concomitantly.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, or ameliorating metabolic disease as described herein by combination therapy with an additional agent or therapy as described herein. Agents or therapies can be co-administered or administered concomitantly.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, or ameliorating obesity as described herein by combination therapy with an additional agent or therapy as described herein. Agents or therapies can be co-administered or administered concomitantly.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, or ameliorating diabetes as described herein by combination therapy with an additional agent or therapy as described herein. Agents or therapies can be co-administered or administered concomitantly.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, or ameliorating diabetes as described herein by combination therapy with an additional agent or therapy as described herein. Agents or therapies can be co-administered or administered concomitantly.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, or ameliorating metabolic disease as described herein in a patient who is subsequently administered an additional agent or therapy as described herein.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, or ameliorating obesity as described herein in a patient who is subsequently administered an additional agent or therapy as described herein.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, or ameliorating diabetes as described herein in a patient who is subsequently administered an additional agent or therapy as described herein.

Certain embodiments provide the use of a compound as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, or ameliorating metabolic syndrome as described herein in a patient who is subsequently administered an additional agent or therapy as described herein.

Certain embodiments provide a kit for treating, preventing, or ameliorating metabolic disease as described herein wherein the kit comprises:

(i) a compound as described herein; and alternatively

(ii) an additional agent or therapy as described herein.

Certain embodiments provide a kit for treating, preventing, or ameliorating obesity as described herein wherein the kit comprises:

(i) a compound as described herein; and alternatively

(ii) an additional agent or therapy as described herein.

Certain embodiments provide a kit for treating, preventing, or ameliorating diabetes as described herein wherein the kit comprises:

(i) a compound as described herein; and alternatively

(ii) an additional agent or therapy as described herein.

Certain embodiments provide a kit for treating, preventing, or ameliorating metabolic syndrome as described herein wherein the kit comprises:

(i) a compound as described herein; and alternatively

(ii) an additional agent or therapy as described herein.

A kit as described herein may further include instructions for using the kit to treat, prevent, or ameliorate metabolic disease as described herein by combination therapy as described herein. In certain embodiments, the metabolic disease is obesity. In certain embodiments, the metabolic disease is diabetes.

Antisense Compounds

Oligomeric compounds include, but are not limited to, oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides, oligonucleotide analogs, oligonucleotide mimetics, antisense compounds, antisense oligonucleotides, and siRNAs. An oligomeric compound may be “antisense” to a target nucleic acid, meaning that is capable of undergoing hybridization to a target nucleic acid through hydrogen bonding.

In certain embodiments, an antisense compound has a nucleobase sequence that, when written in the 5′ to 3′ direction, comprises the reverse complement of the target segment of a target nucleic acid to which it is targeted. In certain such embodiments, an antisense oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that, when written in the 5′ to 3′ direction, comprises the reverse complement of the target segment of a target nucleic acid to which it is targeted.

In certain embodiments, an antisense compound targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid is 10 to 30 nucleotides in length. In other words, antisense compounds are from 10 to 30 linked nucleobases. In other embodiments, the antisense compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 8 to 80, 10 to 50, 15 to 30, 18 to 21, 20 to 80, 20 to 35, 20 to 30, 20 to 29, 20 to 28, 20 to 27, 20 to 26, 20 to 25, 20 to 24, 20 to 23, 20 to 22, 20 to 21 or 20 linked nucleobases. In certain such embodiments, the antisense compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, or 80 linked nucleobases in length, or a range defined by any two of the above values.

In certain embodiments, the antisense compound comprises a shortened or truncated modified oligonucleotide. The shortened or truncated modified oligonucleotide can have a single nucleoside deleted from the 5′ end (5′ truncation), or alternatively from the 3′ end (3′ truncation). A shortened or truncated oligonucleotide may have two nucleosides deleted from the 5′ end, or alternatively may have two subunits deleted from the 3′ end. Alternatively, the deleted nucleosides may be dispersed throughout the modified oligonucleotide, for example, in an antisense compound having one nucleoside deleted from the 5′ end and one nucleoside deleted from the 3′ end.

When a single additional nucleoside is present in a lengthened oligonucleotide, the additional nucleoside may be located at the 5′ or 3′ end of the oligonucleotide. When two or more additional nucleosides are present, the added nucleosides may be adjacent to each other, for example, in an oligonucleotide having two nucleosides added to the 5′ end (5′ addition), or alternatively to the 3′ end (3′ addition), of the oligonucleotide. Alternatively, the added nucleoside may be dispersed throughout the antisense compound, for example, in an oligonucleotide having one nucleoside added to the 5′ end and one subunit added to the 3′ end.

It is possible to increase or decrease the length of an antisense compound, such as an antisense oligonucleotide, and/or introduce mismatch bases without eliminating activity. For example, in Woolf et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7305-7309, 1992), a series of antisense oligonucleotides 13-25 nucleobases in length were tested for their ability to induce cleavage of a target RNA in an oocyte injection model. Antisense oligonucleotides 25 nucleobases in length with 8 or 11 mismatch bases near the ends of the antisense oligonucleotides were able to direct specific cleavage of the target mRNA, albeit to a lesser extent than the antisense oligonucleotides that contained no mismatches. Similarly, target specific cleavage was achieved using 13 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides, including those with 1 or 3 mismatches.

Gautschi et al (J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 93:463-471, March 2001) demonstrated the ability of an oligonucleotide having 100% complementarity to the bcl-2 mRNA and having 3 mismatches to the bcl-xL mRNA to reduce the expression of both bcl-2 and bcl-xL in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, this oligonucleotide demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in vivo.

Maher and Dolnick (Nuc. Acid. Res. 16:3341-3358, 1988) tested a series of tandem 14 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides, and a 28 and 42 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides comprised of the sequence of two or three of the tandem antisense oligonucleotides, respectively, for their ability to arrest translation of human DHFR in a rabbit reticulocyte assay. Each of the three 14 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides alone was able to inhibit translation, albeit at a more modest level than the 28 or 42 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides.

Antisense Compound Motifs

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid have chemically modified subunits arranged in patterns, or motifs, to confer to the antisense compounds properties such as enhanced inhibitory activity, increased binding affinity for a target nucleic acid, or resistance to degradation by in vivo nucleases.

Chimeric antisense compounds typically contain at least one region modified so as to confer increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid, and/or increased inhibitory activity. A second region of a chimeric antisense compound may optionally serve as a substrate for the cellular endonuclease RNase H, which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex.

Antisense compounds having a gapmer motif are considered chimeric antisense compounds. In a gapmer an internal region having a plurality of nucleotides that supports RNaseH cleavage is positioned between external regions having a plurality of nucleotides that are chemically distinct from the nucleosides of the internal region. In the case of an antisense oligonucleotide having a gapmer motif, the gap segment generally serves as the substrate for endonuclease cleavage, while the wing segments comprise modified nucleosides. In certain embodiments, the regions of a gapmer are differentiated by the types of sugar moieties comprising each distinct region. The types of sugar moieties that are used to differentiate the regions of a gapmer may in some embodiments include β-D-ribonucleosides, β-D-deoxyribonucleosides, 2′-modified nucleosides (such 2′-modified nucleosides may include 2′-MOE and 2′-O—CH₃, among others), and bicyclic sugar modified nucleosides (such bicyclic sugar modified nucleosides may include those having a constrained ethyl). In certain embodiments, wings may include several modified sugar moieties, including, for example 2′-MOE and constrained ethyl. In certain embodiments, wings may include several modified and unmodified sugar moieties. In certain embodiments, wings may include various combinations of 2′-MOE nucleosides, constrained ethyl nucleosides, and 2′-deoxynucleosides.

Each distinct region may comprise uniform sugar moieties, variant, or alternating sugar moieties. The wing-gap-wing motif is frequently described as “X-Y-Z”, where “X” represents the length of the 5′-wing, “Y” represents the length of the gap, and “Z” represents the length of the 3′-wing. “X” and “Z” may comprise uniform, variant, or alternating sugar moieties. In certain embodiments, “X” and “Y” may include one or more 2′-deoxynucleosides. “Y” may comprise 2′-deoxynucleosides. As used herein, a gapmer described as “X-Y-Z” has a configuration such that the gap is positioned immediately adjacent to each of the 5′-wing and the 3′ wing. Thus, no intervening nucleotides exist between the 5′-wing and gap, or the gap and the 3′-wing. Any of the antisense compounds described herein can have a gapmer motif. In certain embodiments, “X” and “Z” are the same, in other embodiments they are different. In certain embodiments, “Y” is between 8 and 15 nucleosides. X, Y, or Z can be any of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30 or more nucleosides.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid possess a 3-10-4 gapmer motif.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid possess a 5-10-5 gapmer motif.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid possess a 5-10-6 gapmer motif.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid possess a 3-10-3 gapmer motif.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid possess a 4-10-4 gapmer motif.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid possess a 4-10-5 gapmer motif.

Target Nucleic Acids, Target Regions and Nucleotide Sequences

In certain embodiments, the GCGR nucleic acid is any of the sequences set forth in GENBANK Accession No. NM_(—)000160.3 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1), GENBANK Accession No. NW_(—)926918.1 truncated from nucleotides 16865000 to 16885000 (incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2); and the rhesus monkey sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.

It is understood that the sequence set forth in each SEQ ID NO in the Examples contained herein is independent of any modification to a sugar moiety, an internucleoside linkage, or a nucleobase. As such, antisense compounds defined by a SEQ ID NO may comprise, independently, one or more modifications to a sugar moiety, an internucleoside linkage, or a nucleobase. Antisense compounds described by Isis Number (Isis No) indicate a combination of nucleobase sequence and motif.

In certain embodiments, a target region is a structurally defined region of the target nucleic acid. For example, a target region may encompass a 3′ UTR, a 5′ UTR, an exon, an intron, an exon/intron junction, a coding region, a translation initiation region, translation termination region, or other defined nucleic acid region. The structurally defined regions for GCGR can be obtained by accession number from sequence databases such as NCBI and such information is incorporated herein by reference. In certain embodiments, a target region may encompass the sequence from a 5′ target site of one target segment within the target region to a 3′ target site of another target segment within the same target region.

Targeting includes determination of at least one target segment to which an antisense compound hybridizes, such that a desired effect occurs. In certain embodiments, the desired effect is a reduction in mRNA target nucleic acid levels. In certain embodiments, the desired effect is reduction of levels of protein encoded by the target nucleic acid or a phenotypic change associated with the target nucleic acid.

A target region may contain one or more target segments. Multiple target segments within a target region may be overlapping. Alternatively, they may be non-overlapping. In certain embodiments, target segments within a target region are separated by no more than about 300 nucleotides. In certain embodiments, target segments within a target region are separated by a number of nucleotides that is, is about, is no more than, is no more than about, 250, 200, 150, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 10 nucleotides on the target nucleic acid, or is a range defined by any two of the preceeding values. In certain embodiments, target segments within a target region are separated by no more than, or no more than about, 5 nucleotides on the target nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, target segments are contiguous. Contemplated are target regions defined by a range having a starting nucleic acid that is any of the 5′ target sites or 3′ target sites listed herein.

Suitable target segments may be found within a 5′ UTR, a coding region, a 3′ UTR, an intron, an exon, or an exon/intron junction. Target segments containing a start codon or a stop codon are also suitable target segments. A suitable target segment may specifically exclude a certain structurally defined region such as the start codon or stop codon.

The determination of suitable target segments may include a comparison of the sequence of a target nucleic acid to other sequences throughout the genome. For example, the BLAST algorithm may be used to identify regions of similarity amongst different nucleic acids. This comparison can prevent the selection of antisense compound sequences that may hybridize in a non-specific manner to sequences other than a selected target nucleic acid (i.e., non-target or off-target sequences).

There may be variation in activity (e.g., as defined by percent reduction of target nucleic acid levels) of the antisense compounds within an active target region. In certain embodiments, reductions in GCGR mRNA levels are indicative of inhibition of GCGR expression. Reductions in levels of a GCGR protein are also indicative of inhibition of target mRNA expression. Further, phenotypic changes are indicative of inhibition of GCGR expression. In certain embodiments, reduced glucose levels, reduced lipid levels, and reduced body weight can be indicative of inhibition of GCGR expression. In certain embodiments, amelioration of symptoms associated with metabolic disease can be indicative of inhibition of GCGR expression. In certain embodiments, amelioration of symptoms associated with diabetes can be indicative of inhibition of GCGR expression. In certain embodiments, reduction of insulin resistance is indicative of inhibition of GCGR expression. In certain embodiments, reduction of diabetes biomarkers can be indicative of inhibition of GCGR expression.

Hybridization

In some embodiments, hybridization occurs between an antisense compound disclosed herein and a GCGR nucleic acid. The most common mechanism of hybridization involves hydrogen bonding (e.g., Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding) between complementary nucleobases of the nucleic acid molecules.

Hybridization can occur under varying conditions. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and are determined by the nature and composition of the nucleic acid molecules to be hybridized.

Methods of determining whether a sequence is specifically hybridizable to a target nucleic acid are well known in the art. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds provided herein are specifically hybridizable with a GCGR nucleic acid.

Complementarity

An antisense compound and a target nucleic acid are complementary to each other when a sufficient number of nucleobases of the antisense compound can hydrogen bond with the corresponding nucleobases of the target nucleic acid, such that a desired effect will occur (e.g., antisense inhibition of a target nucleic acid, such as a GCGR nucleic acid).

An antisense compound may hybridize over one or more segments of a GCGR nucleic acid such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure, mismatch or hairpin structure).

In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds provided herein, or a specified portion thereof, are, or are at least, 70%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% complementary to a GCGR nucleic acid, a target region, target segment, or specified portion thereof. Percent complementarity of an antisense compound with a target nucleic acid can be determined using routine methods.

For example, an antisense compound in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the antisense compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining non-complementary nucleobases may be clustered or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. As such, an antisense compound which is 18 nucleobases in length having 4 (four) non-complementary nucleobases which are flanked by two regions of complete complementarity with the target nucleic acid would have 77.8% overall complementarity with the target nucleic acid and would thus fall within the scope of the present invention. Percent complementarity of an antisense compound with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403 410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649 656). Percent homology, sequence identity or complementarity, can be determined by, for example, the Gap program (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group, University Research Park, Madison Wis.), using default settings, which uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math., 1981, 2, 482 489).

In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds provided herein, or specified portions thereof, are fully complementary (i.e. 100% complementary) to a target nucleic acid, or specified portion thereof. For example, antisense compound may be fully complementary to a GCGR nucleic acid, or a target region, or a target segment or target sequence thereof. As used herein, “fully complementary” means each nucleobase of an antisense compound is capable of precise base pairing with the corresponding nucleobases of a target nucleic acid. For example, a 20 nucleobase antisense compound is fully complementary to a target sequence that is 400 nucleobases long, so long as there is a corresponding 20 nucleobase portion of the target nucleic acid that is fully complementary to the antisense compound. Fully complementary can also be used in reference to a specified portion of the first and/or the second nucleic acid. For example, a 20 nucleobase portion of a 30 nucleobase antisense compound can be “fully complementary” to a target sequence that is 400 nucleobases long. The 20 nucleobase portion of the 30 nucleobase oligonucleotide is fully complementary to the target sequence if the target sequence has a corresponding 20 nucleobase portion wherein each nucleobase is complementary to the 20 nucleobase portion of the antisense compound. At the same time, the entire 30 nucleobase antisense compound may or may not be fully complementary to the target sequence, depending on whether the remaining 10 nucleobases of the antisense compound are also complementary to the target sequence.

The location of a non-complementary nucleobase may be at the 5′ end or 3′ end of the antisense compound. Alternatively, the non-complementary nucleobase or nucleobases may be at an internal position of the antisense compound. When two or more non-complementary nucleobases are present, they may be contiguous (i.e. linked) or non-contiguous. In one embodiment, a non-complementary nucleobase is located in the wing segment of a gapmer antisense oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds that are, or are up to 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 nucleobases in length comprise no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2, or no more than 1 non-complementary nucleobase(s) relative to a target nucleic acid, such as a GCGR nucleic acid, or specified portion thereof.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds that are, or are up to 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleobases in length comprise no more than 6, no more than 5, no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2, or no more than 1 non-complementary nucleobase(s) relative to a target nucleic acid, such as a GCGR nucleic acid, or specified portion thereof.

The antisense compounds provided herein also include those which are complementary to a portion of a target nucleic acid. As used herein, “portion” refers to a defined number of contiguous (i.e. linked) nucleobases within a region or segment of a target nucleic acid. A “portion” can also refer to a defined number of contiguous nucleobases of an antisense compound. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds, are complementary to at least an 8 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 12 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 13 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 14 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 15 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 16 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 17 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 18 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 19 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 20 nucleobase portion of a target segment. Also contemplated are antisense compounds that are complementary to at least a 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more nucleobase portion of a target segment, or a range defined by any two of these values.

Identity

The antisense compounds provided herein may also have a defined percent identity to a particular nucleotide sequence, SEQ ID NO, or compound represented by a specific Isis number, or portion thereof. As used herein, an antisense compound is identical to the sequence disclosed herein if it has the same nucleobase pairing ability. For example, a RNA which contains uracil in place of thymidine in a disclosed DNA sequence would be considered identical to the DNA sequence since both uracil and thymidine pair with adenine. Shortened and lengthened versions of the antisense compounds described herein as well as compounds having non-identical bases relative to the antisense compounds provided herein also are contemplated. The non-identical bases may be adjacent to each other or dispersed throughout the antisense compound. Percent identity of an antisense compound is calculated according to the number of bases that have identical base pairing relative to the sequence to which it is being compared.

In certain embodiments, the antisense compounds, or portions thereof, are at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to one or more of the antisense compounds or SEQ ID NOs, or a portion thereof, disclosed herein.

Modifications

A nucleoside is a base-sugar combination. The nucleobase (also known as base) portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base moiety. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to the 2′, 3′ or 5′ hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. Oligonucleotides are formed through the covalent linkage of adjacent nucleosides to one another, to form a linear polymeric oligonucleotide. Within the oligonucleotide structure, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside linkages of the oligonucleotide.

Modifications to antisense compounds encompass substitutions or changes to internucleoside linkages, sugar moieties, or nucleobases. Modified antisense compounds are often preferred over native forms because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for nucleic acid target, increased stability in the presence of nucleases, or increased inhibitory activity.

Chemically modified nucleosides may also be employed to increase the binding affinity of a shortened or truncated antisense oligonucleotide for its target nucleic acid. Consequently, comparable results can often be obtained with shorter antisense compounds that have such chemically modified nucleosides.

Modified Internucleoside Linkages

The naturally occurring internucleoside linkage of RNA and DNA is a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage. Antisense compounds having one or more modified, i.e. non-naturally occurring, internucleoside linkages are often selected over antisense compounds having naturally occurring internucleoside linkages because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for target nucleic acids, and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.

Oligonucleotides having modified internucleoside linkages include internucleoside linkages that retain a phosphorus atom as well as internucleoside linkages that do not have a phosphorus atom. Representative phosphorus containing internucleoside linkages include, but are not limited to, phosphodiesters, phosphotriesters, methylphosphonates, phosphoramidate, and phosphorothioates. Methods of preparation of phosphorous-containing and non-phosphorous-containing linkages are well known.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid comprise one or more modified internucleoside linkages. In certain embodiments, the modified internucleoside linkages are phosphorothioate linkages. In certain embodiments, each internucleoside linkage of an antisense compound is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

Modified Sugar Moieties

Antisense compounds provided herein can optionally contain one or more nucleosides wherein the sugar group has been modified. Such sugar modified nucleosides may impart enhanced nuclease stability, increased binding affinity, or some other beneficial biological property to the antisense compounds. In certain embodiments, nucleosides comprise a chemically modified ribofuranose ring moiety. Examples of chemically modified ribofuranose rings include, without limitation, addition of substitutent groups (including 5′ and 2′ substituent groups); bridging of non-geminal ring atoms to form bicyclic nucleic acids (BNA); replacement of the ribosyl ring oxygen atom with S, N(R), or C(R1)(R)2 (R═H, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or a protecting group); and combinations thereof. Examples of chemically modified sugars include, 2′-F-5′-methyl substituted nucleoside (see, PCT International Application WO 2008/101157, published on Aug. 21, 2008 for other disclosed 5′,2′-bis substituted nucleosides), replacement of the ribosyl ring oxygen atom with S with further substitution at the 2′-position (see, published U.S. Patent Application US200510130923, published on Jun. 16, 2005), or, alternatively, 5′-substitution of a BNA (see, PCT International Application WO 2007/134181, published on Nov. 22, 2007, wherein LNA is substituted with, for example, a 5′-methyl or a 5′-vinyl group).

Examples of nucleosides having modified sugar moieties include, without limitation, nucleosides comprising 5′-vinyl, 5′-methyl (R or S), 4′-S, 2′-F, 2′-OCH₃, and 2′-O(CH₂)2OCH₃ substituent groups. The substituent at the 2′ position can also be selected from allyl, amino, azido, thio, O-allyl, O—C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, OCF₃, O(CH₂)₂SCH₃, O(CH₂)₂—O—N(Rm)(Rn), and O—CH₂—C(═O)—N(Rm)(Rn), where each Rm and Rn is, independently, H or substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl.

As used herein, “bicyclic nucleosides” refer to modified nucleosides comprising a bicyclic sugar moiety. Examples of bicyclic nucleosides include, without limitation, nucleosides comprising a bridge between the 4′ and the 2′ ribosyl ring atoms. In certain embodiments, antisense compounds provided herein include one or more bicyclic nucleosides wherein the bridge comprises a 4′ to 2′ bicyclic nucleoside. Examples of such 4′ to 2′ bicyclic nucleosides, include, but are not limited to, one of the formulae: 4′-(CH₂)—O-2′ (LNA); 4′-(CH₂)—S-2; 4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′ (ENA); 4′-CH(CH₃)—O-2′ and 4′-CH(CH₂OCH₃)—O-2′, and analogs thereof (see, U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,845, issued on Jul. 15, 2008); 4′-C(CH₃)(CH₃)—O-2′, and analogs thereof (see, published PCT International Application WO2009/006478, published Jan. 8, 2009); 4′-CH₂—N(OCH₃)-2′, and analogs thereof (see, published PCT International Application WO2008/150729, published Dec. 11, 2008); 4′-CH₂—O—N(CH₃)-2′ (see, published U.S. Patent Application US2004/0171570, published Sep. 2, 2004); 4′-CH₂—N(R)—O-2′, wherein R is H, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, or a protecting group (see, U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,672, issued on Sep. 23, 2008); 4′-CH₂—C(H)(CH₃)-2′ (see, Chattopadhyaya, et al., J. Org. Chem., 2009, 74, 118-134); and 4′-CH₂—C(═CH₂)-2′, and analogs thereof (see, published PCT International Application WO 2008/154401, published on Dec. 8, 2008). Also see, for example: Singh et al., Chem. Commun., 1998, 4, 455-456; Koshkin et al., Tetrahedron, 1998, 54, 3607-3630; Wahlestedt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 2000, 97, 5633-5638; Kumar et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 1998, 8, 2219-2222; Singh et al., J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 10035-10039; Srivastava et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 129(26) 8362-8379 (Jul. 4, 2007); Elayadi et al., Curr. Opinion Invens. Drugs, 2001, 2, 558-561; Braasch et al., Chem. Biol., 2001, 8, 1-7; Orum et al., Curr. Opinion Mol. Ther., 2001, 3, 239-243; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,670,461, 7,053,207, 6,268,490, 6,770,748, 6,794,499, 7,034,133, 6,525,191, 7,399,845; published PCT International applications WO 2004/106356, WO 94/14226, WO 2005/021570, and WO 2007/134181; U.S. Patent Publication Nos. US2004/0171570, US2007/0287831, and US2008/0039618; and U.S. patent Ser. Nos. 12/129,154, 60/989,574, 61/026,995, 61/026,998, 61/056,564, 61/086,231, 61/097,787, and 61/099,844; and PCT International Application Nos. PCT/US2008/064591, PCT/US2008/066154, and PCT/US2008/068922. Each of the foregoing bicyclic nucleosides can be prepared having one or more stereochemical sugar configurations including for example α-L-ribofuranose and β-D-ribofuranose (see PCT international application PCT/DK98/00393, published on Mar. 25, 1999 as WO 99/14226).

In certain embodiments, bicyclic sugar moieties of BNA nucleosides include, but are not limited to, compounds having at least one bridge between the 4′ and the 2′ position of the pentofuranosyl sugar moiety wherein such bridges independently comprises 1 or from 2 to 4 linked groups independently selected from —[C(R_(a))(R_(b))]_(n)—, —C(R_(a))═C(R_(b))—, —C(R_(a))═N—, —C(═NR_(a))—, —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, —O—, —Si(R_(a))₂—, —S(═O)_(x)—, and —N(R_(a))—;

wherein:

x is 0, 1, or 2;

n is 1, 2, 3, or 4;

each R_(a) and R_(b) is, independently, H, a protecting group, hydroxyl, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, C₅-C₂₀ aryl, substituted C₅-C₂₀ aryl, heterocycle radical, substituted heterocycle radical, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, C₅-C₇ alicyclic radical, substituted C₅-C₇ alicyclic radical, halogen, OJ₁, NJ₁J₂, SJ₁, N₃, COOJ₁, acyl (C(═O)—H), substituted acyl, CN, sulfonyl (S(═O)₂-J₁), or sulfoxyl (S(═O)-J₁); and

each J₁ and J₂ is, independently, H, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, C₅-C₂₀ aryl, substituted C₅-C₂₀ aryl, acyl (C(═O)—H), substituted acyl, a heterocycle radical, a substituted heterocycle radical, C₁-C₁₂ aminoalkyl, substituted C₁-C₁₂ aminoalkyl, or a protecting group.

In certain embodiments, the bridge of a bicyclic sugar moiety is, —[C(R_(a))(R_(b))]_(n)—, —[C(R_(a))(R_(b))]_(n)—O—, —C(R_(a)R_(b))—N(R)—O— or, —C(R_(a)R_(b))—O—N(R)—. In certain embodiments, the bridge is 4′-CH₂-2′, 4′-(CH₂)₂-2′, 4′-(CH₂)₃-2′, 4′-CH₂—O-2′, 4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′, 4′-CH₂—O—N(R)-2′, and 4′-CH₂—N(R)—O-2′-, wherein each R is, independently, H, a protecting group, or C₁-C₁₂ alkyl.

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides are further defined by isomeric configuration. For example, a nucleoside comprising a 4′-2′ methylene-oxy bridge, may be in the α-L configuration or in the β-D configuration. Previously, α-L-methyleneoxy (4′-CH₂—O-2′) BNA's have been incorporated into antisense oligonucleotides that showed antisense activity (Frieden et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2003, 21, 6365-6372).

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides include, but are not limited to, (A) α-L-Methyleneoxy (4′-CH₂—O-2′) BNA, (B) β-D-Methyleneoxy (4′-CH₂—O-2′) BNA, (C) Ethyleneoxy (4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′) BNA, (D) Aminooxy (4′-CH₂—O—N(R)-2′) BNA, (E) Oxyamino (4′-CH₂—N(R)—O-2′) BNA, (F) Methyl(methyleneoxy) (4′-CH(CH₃)—O-2′) BNA, (G) methylene-thio (4′-CH₂—S-2′) BNA, (H) methylene-amino (4′-CH2-N(R)-2′) BNA, (I) methyl carbocyclic (4′-CH₂—CH(CH₃)-2′) BNA, and (J) propylene carbocyclic (4′-(CH₂)₃-2′) BNA as depicted below.

wherein Bx is the base moiety and R is, independently, H, a protecting group or C₁-C₁₂ alkyl.

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleoside having Formula I:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety;

-Q_(a)-Q_(b)-Q_(c)- is —CH₂—N(R_(c))—CH₂—, —C(═O)—N(R_(c))—CH₂—, —CH₂—O—N(R_(c))—, —CH₂—N(R_(c))—O—, or —N(R_(c))—O—CH₂;

R_(c) is C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or an amino protecting group; and

T_(a) and T_(b) are each, independently, H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety, or a covalent attachment to a support medium.

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleoside having Formula II:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety;

T_(a) and T_(b) are each, independently, H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety, or a covalent attachment to a support medium;

Z_(a) is C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted C₂-C₆ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₆ alkynyl, acyl, substituted acyl, substituted amide, thiol, or substituted thio.

In one embodiment, each of the substituted groups is, independently, mono or poly substituted with substituent groups independently selected from halogen, oxo, hydroxyl, OJ_(c), NJ_(c)J_(d), SJ_(c), N₃, OC(═X)J_(c), and NJ_(e)C(═X)NJ_(c)J_(d), wherein each J_(c), J_(d), and J_(e) is, independently, H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, or substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl and X is O or NJ_(c).

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleoside having Formula III:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety;

T_(a) and T_(b) are each, independently, H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety, or a covalent attachment to a support medium;

Z_(b) is C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted C₂-C₆ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₆ alkynyl, or substituted acyl (C(═O)—).

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleoside having Formula IV:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety;

T_(a) and T_(b) are each, independently H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety, or a covalent attachment to a support medium;

R_(d) is C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, or substituted C₂-C₆ alkynyl;

each q_(a), q_(b), q_(c) and q_(d) is, independently, H, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, or substituted C₂-C₆ alkynyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkoxyl, acyl, substituted acyl, C₁-C₆ aminoalkyl, or substituted C₁-C₆ aminoalkyl;

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleoside having Formula V:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety;

T_(a) and T_(b) are each, independently, H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety, or a covalent attachment to a support medium;

q_(a), q_(b), q_(e) and q_(f) are each, independently, hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy, substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy, OJ_(j), SJ_(j), SOJ_(j), SO₂J_(j), NJ_(j)J_(k), N₃, CN, C(═O)OJ_(j), C(═O)NJ_(j)J_(k), C(═O)J_(j), O—C(═O)NJ_(j)J_(k), N(H)C(═NH)NJ_(j)J_(k), N(H)C(═O)NJ_(j)J_(k) or N(H)C(═S)NJ_(j)J_(k);

or q_(e) and q_(f) together are ═C(q_(g))(q_(h));

q_(g) and q_(h) are each, independently, H, halogen, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, or substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl.

The synthesis and preparation of the methyleneoxy (4′-CH₂—O-2′) BNA monomers adenine, cytosine, guanine, 5-methyl-cytosine, thymine, and uracil, along with their oligomerization, and nucleic acid recognition properties have been described (see, e.g., Koshkin et al., Tetrahedron, 1998, 54, 3607-3630). BNAs and preparation thereof are also described in WO 98/39352 and WO 99/14226.

Analogs of methyleneoxy (4′-CH₂—O-2′) BNA, methyleneoxy (4′-CH₂—O-2′) BNA, and 2′-thio-BNAs, have also been prepared (see, e.g., Kumar et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 1998, 8, 2219-2222). Preparation of locked nucleoside analogs comprising oligodeoxyribonucleotide duplexes as substrates for nucleic acid polymerases has also been described (see, e.g., Wengel et al., WO 99/14226). Furthermore, synthesis of 2′-amino-BNA, a novel comformationally restricted high-affinity oligonucleotide analog, has been described in the art (see, e.g., Singh et al., J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 10035-10039). In addition, 2′-amino- and 2′-methylamino-BNA's have been prepared and the thermal stability of their duplexes with complementary RNA and DNA strands has been previously reported.

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleoside having Formula VI:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety;

T_(a) and T_(b) are each, independently, H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a conjugate group, a reactive phosphorus group, a phosphorus moiety, or a covalent attachment to a support medium;

each q_(i), q_(j), q_(k) and q_(l) is, independently, H, halogen, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyl, substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyl, OJ_(j), SJ_(j), SOJ_(j), SO₂J_(j), NJ_(j)J_(k), N₃, CN, C(═O)OJ_(j), C(═O)NJ_(j)J_(k), C(═O)J_(j), O—C(═O)NJ_(j)J_(k), N(H)C(═NH)NJ_(j)J_(k), N(H)C(═O)NJ_(j)J_(k), or N(H)C(═S)NJ_(j)J_(k); and

q_(i) and q_(j) or q_(l) and q_(k) together are ═C(q_(g))(q_(h)), wherein q_(g) and q_(h) are each, independently, H, halogen, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, or substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl.

One carbocyclic bicyclic nucleoside having a 4′-(CH₂)₃₋₂′ bridge and the alkenyl analog, bridge 4′-CH═CH—CH₂-2′, have been described (see, e.g., Freier et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 1997, 25(22), 4429-4443 and Albaek et al., J. Org. Chem., 2006, 71, 7731-7740). The synthesis and preparation of carbocyclic bicyclic nucleosides along with their oligomerization and biochemical studies have also been described (see, e.g., Srivastava et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129(26), 8362-8379).

As used herein, “4′-2′ bicyclic nucleoside” or “4′ to 2′ bicyclic nucleoside” refers to a bicyclic nucleoside comprising a furanose ring comprising a bridge connecting the 2′ carbon atom and the 4′ carbon atom.

As used herein, “monocylic nucleosides” refer to nucleosides comprising modified sugar moieties that are not bicyclic sugar moieties. In certain embodiments, the sugar moiety, or sugar moiety analogue, of a nucleoside may be modified or substituted at any position.

As used herein, “2′-modified sugar” means a furanosyl sugar modified at the 2′ position. In certain embodiments, such modifications include substituents selected from: a halide, including, but not limited to substituted and unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted and unsubstituted thioalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted amino alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted allyl, and substituted and unsubstituted alkynyl. In certain embodiments, 2′ modifications are selected from substituents including, but not limited to: O[(CH₂)_(n)O]_(m)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)NH₂, O(CH₂)_(n)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)ONH₂, OCH₂C(═O)N(H)CH₃, and O(CH₂)_(n)ON[(CH₂)_(n)CH₃]₂, where n and m are from 1 to about 10. Other 2′-substituent groups can also be selected from: C₁-C₁₂ alkyl; substituted alkyl; alkenyl; alkynyl; alkaryl; aralkyl; O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl; SH; SCH₃; OCN; Cl; Br; CN; CF₃; OCF₃; SOCH₃; SO₂CH₃; ONO₂; NO₂; N₃; NH₂; heterocycloalkyl; heterocycloalkaryl; aminoalkylamino; polyalkylamino; substituted silyl; an RNA cleaving group; a reporter group; an intercalator; a group for improving pharmacokinetic properties; and a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an antisense compound, and other substituents having similar properties. In certain embodiments, modified nucleosides comprise a 2′-MOE side chain (see, e.g., Baker et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1997, 272, 11944-12000). Such 2′-MOE substitution have been described as having improved binding affinity compared to unmodified nucleosides and to other modified nucleosides, such as 2′-methyl, O-propyl, and O-aminopropyl. Oligonucleotides having the 2′-MOE substituent also have been shown to be antisense inhibitors of gene expression with promising features for in vivo use (see, e.g., Martin, P., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504; Altmann et al., Chimia, 1996, 50, 168-176; Altmann et al., Biochem. Soc. Trans., 1996, 24, 630-637; and Altmann et al., Nucleosides Nucleotides, 1997, 16, 917-926).

As used herein, a “modified tetrahydropyran nucleoside” or “modified THP nucleoside” means a nucleoside having a six-membered tetrahydropyran “sugar” substituted in for the pentofuranosyl residue in normal nucleosides (a sugar surrogate). Modified THP nucleosides include, but are not limited to, what is referred to in the art as hexitol nucleic acid (HNA), anitol nucleic acid (ANA), manitol nucleic acid (MNA) (see Leumann, C J. Bioorg. & Med. Chem. (2002) 10:841-854), fluoro HNA (F—HNA), or those compounds having Formula X:

wherein independently for each of said at least one tetrahydropyran nucleoside analog of Formula X:

Bx is a heterocyclic base moiety;

T₃ and T₄ are each, independently, an internucleoside linking group linking the tetrahydropyran nucleoside analog to the antisense compound or one of T₃ and T₄ is an internucleoside linking group linking the tetrahydropyran nucleoside analog to the antisense compound and the other of T₃ and T₄ is H, a hydroxyl protecting group, a linked conjugate group, or a 5′ or 3′-terminal group;

q₁, q₂, q₃, q₄, q₅, q₆ and q₇ are each, independently, H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, or substituted C₂-C₆ alkynyl; and

one of R₁ and R₂ is hydrogen and the other is selected from halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, NJ₁J₂, SJ₁, N₃, OC(═X)J₁, OC(═X)NJ₁J₂, NJ₃C(═X)NJ₁J₂, and CN, wherein X is O, S, or NJ₁, and each J₁, J₂, and J₃ is, independently, H or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In certain embodiments, the modified THP nucleosides of Formula X are provided wherein q_(m), q_(n), q_(p), q_(r), q_(s), q_(t), and q_(u) are each H. In certain embodiments, at least one of q_(m), q_(n), q_(p), q_(r), q_(s), q_(t), and q_(u) is other than H. In certain embodiments, at least one of q_(m), q_(n), q_(p), q_(r), q_(s), q_(t) and q_(u) is methyl. In certain embodiments, THP nucleosides of Formula X are provided wherein one of R₁ and R₂ is F. In certain embodiments, R₁ is fluoro and R₂ is H, R₁ is methoxy and R₂ is H, and R₁ is methoxyethoxy and R₂ is H.

As used herein, “2′-modified” or “2′-substituted” refers to a nucleoside comprising a sugar comprising a substituent at the 2′ position other than H or OH. 2′-modified nucleosides, include, but are not limited to, bicyclic nucleosides wherein the bridge connecting two carbon atoms of the sugar ring connects the 2′ carbon and another carbon of the sugar ring and nucleosides with non-bridging 2′ substituents, such as allyl, amino, azido, thio, O-allyl, O—C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, —OCF₃, O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH₃, 2′—O(CH₂)₂SCH₃, O—(CH₂)₂—O—N(R_(m))(R_(n)), or O—CH₂—C(═O)—N(R_(m))(R_(n)), where each R_(m) and R_(n) is, independently, H or substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl. 2′-modified nucleosides may further comprise other modifications, for example, at other positions of the sugar and/or at the nucleobase.

As used herein, “2′-F” refers to a sugar comprising a fluoro group at the 2′ position.

As used herein, “2′-OMe” or “2′-OCH₃” or “2′-O-methyl” each refers to a sugar comprising an OCH₃ group at the 2′ position of the sugar ring.

As used herein, “oligonucleotide” refers to a compound comprising a plurality of linked nucleosides. In certain embodiments, one or more of the plurality of nucleosides is modified. In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises one or more ribonucleosides (RNA) and/or deoxyribonucleosides (DNA).

Many other bicyclo and tricyclo sugar surrogate ring systems are also known in the art that can be used to modify nucleosides for incorporation into antisense compounds (see, e.g., review article: Leumann, J. C, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2002, 10, 841-854).

Such ring systems can undergo various additional substitutions to enhance activity.

Methods for the preparations of modified sugars are well known to those skilled in the art.

In nucleotides having modified sugar moieties, the nucleobase moieties (natural, modified, or a combination thereof) are maintained for hybridization with an appropriate nucleic acid target.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds comprise one or more nucleotides having modified sugar moieties. In certain embodiments, the modified sugar moiety is 2′-MOE. In certain embodiments, the 2′-MOE modified nucleotides are arranged in a gapmer motif. In certain embodiments, the modified sugar moiety is a cEt. In certain embodiments, the cEt modified nucleotides are arranged throughout the wings of a gapmer motif.

Modified Nucleobases

Nucleobase (or base) modifications or substitutions are structurally distinguishable from, yet functionally interchangeable with, naturally occurring or synthetic unmodified nucleobases. Both natural and modified nucleobases are capable of participating in hydrogen bonding. Such nucleobase modifications may impart nuclease stability, binding affinity or some other beneficial biological property to antisense compounds. Modified nucleobases include synthetic and natural nucleobases such as, for example, 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C). Certain nucleobase substitutions, including 5-methylcytosine substitutions, are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of an antisense compound for a target nucleic acid. For example, 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2° C. (Sanghvi, Y. S., Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., eds., Antisense Research and Applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp. 276-278).

Additional unmodified nucleobases include 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl (—C≡C—CH₃) uracil and cytosine and other alkynyl derivatives of pyrimidine bases, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 2-F-adenine, 2-amino-adenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine.

Heterocyclic base moieties may also include those in which the purine or pyrimidine base is replaced with other heterocycles, for example 7-deaza-adenine, 7-deazaguanosine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone. Nucleobases that are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of antisense compounds include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2 aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid comprise one or more modified nucleobases. In certain embodiments, gap-widened antisense oligonucleotides targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid comprise one or more modified nucleobases. In certain embodiments, the modified nucleobase is 5-methylcytosine. In certain embodiments, each cytosine is a 5-methylcytosine.

Compositions and Methods for Formulating Pharmaceutical Compositions

Antisense oligonucleotides may be admixed with pharmaceutically acceptable active or inert substance for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions or formulations. Compositions and methods for the formulation of pharmaceutical compositions are dependent upon a number of criteria, including, but not limited to, route of administration, extent of disease, or dose to be administered.

Antisense compound targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by combining the antisense compound with a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. A pharmaceutically acceptable diluent includes phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). PBS is a diluent suitable for use in compositions to be delivered parenterally. Accordingly, in one embodiment, employed in the methods described herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antisense compound targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable diluent is PBS. In certain embodiments, the antisense compound is an antisense oligonucleotide.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising antisense compounds encompass any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other oligonucleotide which, upon administration to an animal, including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Accordingly, for example, the disclosure is also drawn to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of antisense compounds, prodrugs, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such prodrugs, and other bioequivalents. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, sodium and potassium salts.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds described herein may be prepared by methods well-known in the art. For a review of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, see Stahl and Wermuth, Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection and Use (Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany, 2002). Sodium salts of antisense oligonucleotides are useful and are well accepted for therapeutic administration to humans. Accordingly, in one embodiment the compounds described herein are in the form of a sodium salt.

A prodrug can include the incorporation of additional nucleosides at one or both ends of an antisense compound which are cleaved by endogenous nucleases within the body, to form the active antisense compound.

Conjugated Antisense Compounds

Antisense compounds may be covalently linked to one or more moieties or conjugates which enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the resulting antisense oligonucleotides. Typical conjugate groups include cholesterol moieties and lipid moieties. Additional conjugate groups include carbohydrates, phospholipids, biotin, phenazine, folate, phenanthridine, anthraquinone, acridine, fluoresceins, rhodamines, coumarins, and dyes.

Antisense compounds can also be modified to have one or more stabilizing groups that are generally attached to one or both termini of antisense compounds to enhance properties such as, for example, nuclease stability. Included in stabilizing groups are cap structures. These terminal modifications protect the antisense compound having terminal nucleic acid from exonuclease degradation, and can help in delivery and/or localization within a cell. The cap can be present at the 5′-terminus (5′-cap), or at the 3′-terminus (3′-cap), or can be present on both termini. Cap structures are well known in the art and include, for example, inverted deoxy abasic caps. Further 3′ and 5′-stabilizing groups that can be used to cap one or both ends of an antisense compound to impart nuclease stability include those disclosed in WO 03/004602 published on Jan. 16, 2003.

Cell Culture and Antisense Compounds Treatment

The effects of antisense compounds on the level, activity or expression of GCGR nucleic acids can be tested in vitro in a variety of cell types. Cell types used for such analyses are available from commercial vendors (e.g. American Type Culture Collection, Manassus, Va.; Zen-Bio, Inc., Research Triangle Park, N.C.; Clonetics Corporation, Walkersville, Md.) and cells are cultured according to the vendor's instructions using commercially available reagents (e.g. Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.). Illustrative cell types include, but are not limited to, HepG2 cells and primary hepatocytes.

In Vitro Testing of Antisense Oligonucleotides

Described herein are methods for treatment of cells with antisense oligonucleotides, which can be modified appropriately for treatment with other antisense compounds.

In general, cells are treated with antisense oligonucleotides when the cells reach approximately 60-80% confluence in culture.

One reagent commonly used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes the cationic lipid transfection reagent LIPOFECTIN® (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Antisense oligonucleotides are mixed with LIPOFECTIN® in OPTI-MEM® 1 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) to achieve the desired final concentration of antisense oligonucleotide and a LIPOFECTIN® concentration that typically ranges 2 to 12 ug/mL per 100 nM antisense oligonucleotide.

Another reagent used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes LIPOFECTAMINE 2000® (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Antisense oligonucleotide is mixed with LIPOFECTAMINE 2000® in OPTI-MEM® 1 reduced serum medium (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) to achieve the desired concentration of antisense oligonucleotide and a LIPOFECTAMINE® concentration that typically ranges 2 to 12 ug/mL per 100 nM antisense oligonucleotide.

Another reagent used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes Cytofectin® (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Antisense oligonucleotide is mixed with Cytofectin® in OPTI-MEM® 1 reduced serum medium (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) to achieve the desired concentration of antisense oligonucleotide and a Cytofectin® concentration that typically ranges 2 to 12 ug/mL per 100 nM antisense oligonucleotide.

Another technique used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes electroporation.

Cells are treated with antisense oligonucleotides by routine methods. Cells are typically harvested 16-24 hours after antisense oligonucleotide treatment, at which time RNA or protein levels of target nucleic acids are measured by methods known in the art and described herein. In general, when treatments are performed in multiple replicates, the data are presented as the average of the replicate treatments.

The concentration of antisense oligonucleotide used varies from cell line to cell line. Methods to determine the optimal antisense oligonucleotide concentration for a particular cell line are well known in the art. Antisense oligonucleotides are typically used at concentrations ranging from 1 nM to 300 nM when transfected with LIPOFECTAMINE 2000®, Lipofectin or Cytofectin. Antisense oligonucleotides are used at higher concentrations ranging from 625 to 20,000 nM when transfected using electroporation.

RNA Isolation

RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly(A)+ mRNA. Methods of RNA isolation are well known in the art. RNA is prepared using methods well known in the art, for example, using the TRIZOL® Reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's recommended protocols.

Analysis of Inhibition of Target Levels or Expression

Inhibition of levels or expression of a GCGR nucleic acid can be assayed in a variety of ways known in the art. For example, target nucleic acid levels can be quantitated by, e.g., Northern blot analysis, competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or quantitative real-time PCR. RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly(A)+ mRNA. Methods of RNA isolation are well known in the art. Northern blot analysis is also routine in the art. Quantitative real-time PCR can be conveniently accomplished using the commercially available ABI PRISM® 7600, 7700, or 7900 Sequence Detection System, available from PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif. and used according to manufacturer's instructions.

Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis of Target RNA Levels

Quantitation of target RNA levels may be accomplished by quantitative real-time PCR using the ABI PRISM® 7600, 7700, or 7900 Sequence Detection System (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) according to manufacturer's instructions. Methods of quantitative real-time PCR are well known in the art.

Prior to real-time PCR, the isolated RNA is subjected to a reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction, which produces complementary DNA (cDNA) that is then used as the substrate for the real-time PCR amplification. The RT and real-time PCR reactions are performed sequentially in the same sample well. RT and real-time PCR reagents are obtained from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, Calif.). RT, real-time-PCR reactions are carried out by methods well known to those skilled in the art.

Gene (or RNA) target quantities obtained by real time PCR are normalized using either the expression level of a gene whose expression is constant, such as cyclophilin A, or by quantifying total RNA using RIBOGREEN® (Invitrogen, Inc. Carlsbad, Calif.). Cyclophilin A expression is quantified by real time PCR, by being run simultaneously with the target, multiplexing, or separately. Total RNA is quantified using RIBOGREEN® RNA quantification reagent (Invitrogen, Inc. Eugene, Oreg.). Methods of RNA quantification by RIBOGREEN® are taught in Jones, L. J., et al, (Analytical Biochemistry, 1998, 265, 368-374). A CYTOFLUOR® 4000 instrument (PE Applied Biosystems) is used to measure RIBOGREEN® fluorescence.

Probes and primers are designed to hybridize to a GCGR nucleic acid. Methods for designing real-time PCR probes and primers are well known in the art, and may include the use of software such as PRIMER EXPRESS® Software (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.).

Analysis of Protein Levels

Antisense inhibition of GCGR nucleic acids can be assessed by measuring GCGR protein levels. Protein levels of GCGR can be evaluated or quantitated in a variety of ways well known in the art, such as immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis (immunoblotting), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative protein assays, protein activity assays (for example, caspase activity assays), immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Antibodies directed to a target can be identified and obtained from a variety of sources, such as the MSRS catalog of antibodies (Aerie Corporation, Birmingham, Mich.), or can be prepared via conventional monoclonal or polyclonal antibody generation methods well known in the art. Antibodies useful for the detection of human and rat GCGR are commercially available.

In Vivo Testing of Antisense Compounds

Antisense compounds, for example, antisense oligonucleotides, are tested in animals to assess their ability to inhibit expression of GCGR and produce phenotypic changes. Testing may be performed in normal animals, or in experimental disease models. For administration to animals, antisense oligonucleotides are formulated in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, such as phosphate-buffered saline. Administration includes parenteral routes of administration. Following a period of treatment with antisense oligonucleotides, RNA is isolated from tissue and changes in GCGR nucleic acid expression are measured. Changes in GCGR protein levels are also measured.

Certain Indications

In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods of treating an individual comprising administering one or more pharmaceutical compositions as described herein. In certain embodiments, the individual has metabolic related disease.

As shown in the examples below, compounds targeted to GCGR, as described herein, have been shown to reduce the severity of physiological symptoms of metabolic related diseases, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, diabetic dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity and weight gain. In certain of the experiments, the compounds reduced blood glucose levels, e.g., the animals continued to experience symptoms, but the symptoms were less severe compared to untreated animals. In other experiments, however, the compounds appear to reduce the symptoms of diabetes; e.g., animals treated for a longer period of time experienced less severe symptoms than those administered the compounds for a shorter period of time. In other experiments, however, the compounds appear to inhibit weight gain; e.g., animals treated for a longer period of time experienced less severe symptoms than those administered the compounds for a shorter period of time. In other experiments, however, the compounds appear to inhibit hypertriglyceridemia; e.g., animals treated for a longer period of time experienced less severe signs and/or symptoms than those administered the compounds for a shorter period of time. The ability of the compounds exemplified below to restore function therefore demonstrates that symptoms of the disease may be reversed by treatment with a compound as described herein.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by numerous physical and physiological signs and/or symptoms. Any symptom known to one of skill in the art to be associated with Type 2 diabetes can be ameliorated or otherwise modulated as set forth above in the methods described above. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is a physical symptom or sign such as increased glucose levels, increased weight gain, frequent urination, unusual thirst, extreme hunger, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, frequent infections, tingling or numbness at the extremities, dry and itchy skin, weight loss, slow-healing sores, and swollen gums. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is a physiological symptom or sign selected from the group consisting of increased insulin resistance, increased glucose levels, increased fat mass, decreased metabolic rate, decreased glucose clearance, decreased glucose tolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity, decreased hepatic insulin sensitivity, increased adipose tissue size and weight, increased body fat, and increased body weight.

In certain embodiments, the physical symptom or sign is increased glucose levels. In certain embodiments, the sign or symptom is weight gain. In certain embodiments, the symptom is frequent urination. In certain embodiments, the symptom is unusual thirst. In certain embodiments, the symptom is extreme hunger. In certain embodiments, the symptom is extreme fatigue. In certain embodiments, the symptom is blurred vision. In certain embodiments, the symptom is frequent infections. In certain embodiments, the symptom is tingling or numbness at the extremities. In certain embodiments, the symptom is dry and itchy skin. In certain embodiments, the sign or symptom is weight loss. In certain embodiments, the symptom is slow-healing sores. In certain embodiments, the symptom is swollen gums. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is increased insulin resistance. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is increased glucose levels. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is increased fat mass. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is decreased metabolic rate. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is decreased glucose clearance. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is decreased glucose tolerance. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is decreased insulin sensitivity. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is decreased hepatic insulin sensitivity. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is increased adipose tissue size and weight. In certain embodiments, the symptom or sign is increased body fat. In certain embodiments, the sign or symptom is increased body weight.

In certain embodiments, provided are methods of treating an individual comprising administering one or more pharmaceutical compositions as described herein. In certain embodiments, the individual has metabolic related disease.

In certain embodiments, administration of an antisense compound targeted to a GCGR nucleic acid results in reduction of GCGR expression by at least about 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 99%, or a range defined by any two of these values.

In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antisense compound targeted to GCGR are used for the preparation of a medicament for treating a patient suffering or susceptible to metabolic related disease.

In certain embodiments, the methods described herein include administering a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide having a contiguous nucleobases portion as described herein of a sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 11 (ISIS 449884).

In certain embodiments, the methods described herein include administering a compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide having a contiguous nucleobases portion as described herein of a sequence recited in SEQ ID NO: 80 (ISIS 459014).

Certain Combination Therapies

In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions described herein are co-administered with one or more other pharmaceutical agents. In certain embodiments, such one or more other pharmaceutical agents are designed to treat the same disease, disorder, or condition as the one or more pharmaceutical compositions described herein. In certain embodiments, such one or more other pharmaceutical agents are designed to treat a different disease, disorder, or condition as the one or more pharmaceutical compositions described herein. In certain embodiments, such one or more other pharmaceutical agents are designed to treat an undesired side effect of one or more pharmaceutical compositions as described herein. In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions are co-administered with another pharmaceutical agent to treat an undesired effect of that other pharmaceutical agent. In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions are co-administered with another pharmaceutical agent to produce a combinational effect. In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions are co-administered with another pharmaceutical agent to produce a synergistic effect.

In certain embodiments, a first agent and one or more second agents are administered at the same time. In certain embodiments, the first agent and one or more second agents are administered at different times. In certain embodiments, the first agent and one or more second agents are prepared together in a single pharmaceutical formulation. In certain embodiments, the first agent and one or more second agents are prepared separately.

In certain embodiments, the second compound is administered prior to administration of a pharmaceutical composition described herein. In certain embodiments, the second compound is administered following administration of a pharmaceutical composition described herein. In certain embodiments, the second compound is administered at the same time as a pharmaceutical composition described herein. In certain embodiments, the dose of a co-administered second compound is the same as the dose that would be administered if the second compound was administered alone. In certain embodiments, the dose of a co-administered second compound is lower than the dose that would be administered if the second compound was administered alone. In certain embodiments, the dose of a co-administered second compound is greater than the dose that would be administered if the second compound was administered alone.

In certain embodiments, the co-administration of a second compound enhances the effect of a first compound, such that co-administration of the compounds results in an effect that is greater than the effect of administering the first compound alone. In certain embodiments, the co-administration results in effects that are additive of the effects of the compounds when administered alone. In certain embodiments, the co-administration results in effects that are supra-additive of the effects of the compounds when administered alone. In certain embodiments, the first compound is an antisense compound. In certain embodiments, the second compound is an antisense compound.

In certain embodiments, second agents include, but are not limited to, a glucose-lowering agent. The glucose lowering agent can include, but is not limited to, a therapeutic lifestyle change, PPAR agonist, a dipeptidyl peptidase (IV) inhibitor, a GLP-1 analog, insulin or an insulin analog, an insulin secretagogue, a SGLT2 inhibitor, a human amylin analog, a biguanide, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, or a combination thereof. The glucose-lowering agent can include, but is not limited to metformin, sulfonylurea, rosiglitazone, meglitinide, thiazolidinedione, alpha-glucosidase inhibitor or a combination thereof. The sulfonylurea can be acetohexamide, chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, tolazamide, glimepiride, a glipizide, a glyburide, or a gliclazide. The meglitinide can be nateglinide or repaglinide. The thiazolidinedione can be pioglitazone or rosiglitazone. The alpha-glucosidase can be acarbose or miglitol.

In some embodiments, the glucose-lowering therapeutic is a GLP-1 analog. In some embodiments, the GLP-1 analog is exendin-4 or liraglutide.

In other embodiments, the glucose-lowering therapeutic is a sulfonylurea. In some embodiments, the sulfonylurea is acetohexamide, chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, tolazamide, glimepiride, a glipizide, a glyburide, or a gliclazide.

In some embodiments, the glucose-lowering drug is a biguanide. In some embodiments, the biguanide is metformin, and in some embodiments, blood glucose levels are decreased without increased lactic acidosis as compared to the lactic acidosis observed after treatment with metformin alone.

In some embodiments, the glucose-lowering drug is a meglitinide. In some embodiments, the meglitinide is nateglinide or repaglinide.

In some embodiments, the glucose-lowering drug is a thiazolidinedione. In some embodiments, the thiazolidinedione is pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, or troglitazone. In some embodiments, blood glucose levels are decreased without greater weight gain than observed with rosiglitazone treatment alone.

In some embodiments, the glucose-lowering drug is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor is acarbose or miglitol.

In a certain embodiment, a co-administered glucose-lowering agent is ISIS 113715.

In a certain embodiment, glucose-lowering therapy is therapeutic lifestyle change.

In certain embodiments, second agents include, but are not limited to, lipid-lowering agents. The lipid-lowering agent can include, but is not limited to atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, and ezetimibe. In certain such embodiments, the lipid-lowering agent is administered prior to administration of a pharmaceutical composition described herein. In certain such embodiments, the lipid-lowering agent is administered following administration of a pharmaceutical composition described herein. In certain such embodiments the lipid-lowering agent is administered at the same time as a pharmaceutical composition described herein. In certain such embodiments the dose of a co-administered lipid-lowering agent is the same as the dose that would be administered if the lipid-lowering agent was administered alone. In certain such embodiments the dose of a co-administered lipid-lowering agent is lower than the dose that would be administered if the lipid-lowering agent was administered alone. In certain such embodiments the dose of a co-administered lipid-lowering agent is greater than the dose that would be administered if the lipid-lowering agent was administered alone.

In certain embodiments, a co-administered lipid-lowering agent is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. In certain such embodiments the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is a statin. In certain such embodiments the statin is selected from atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin.

In certain embodiments, a co-administered lipid-lowering agent is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. In certain such embodiments, cholesterol absorption inhibitor is ezetimibe.

In certain embodiments, a co-administered lipid-lowering agent is a co-formulated HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and cholesterol absorption inhibitor. In certain such embodiments the co-formulated lipid-lowering agent is ezetimibe/simvastatin.

In certain embodiments, a co-administered lipid-lowering agent is a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor (MTP inhibitor).

In certain embodiments, a co-administered lipid-lowering agent is an oligonucleotide targeted to ApoB.

In certain embodiments, second agents include, but are not limited to an anti-obesity drug or agent. Such anti-obesity agents include but are not limited to Orlistat, Sibutramine, or Rimonabant, and may be administered as described above as adipose or body weight lowering agents. In certain embodiments, the antisense compound may be co-administered with appetite suppressants. Such appetite suppressants include but are not limited to diethylpropion tenuate, mazindol, orlistat, phendimetrazine, phentermine, and sibutramine and may be administered as described herein. In certain embodiment, the anti-obesity agents are CNS based such as, but not limited to, sibutramine or GLP-1 based such as, but not limited to, liraglutide.

Formulations

The compounds provided herein may also be admixed, conjugated or otherwise associated with other molecules, molecule structures or mixtures of compounds, as for example, liposomes, receptor-targeted molecules, or other formulations, for assisting in uptake, distribution and/or absorption. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such uptake, distribution and/or absorption-assisting formulations include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,108,921; 5,354,844; 5,416,016; 5,459,127; 5,521,291; 5,543,158; 5,547,932; 5,583,020; 5,591,721; 4,426,330; 4,534,899; 5,013,556; 5,108,921; 5,213,804; 5,227,170; 5,264,221; 5,356,633; 5,395,619; 5,416,016; 5,417,978; 5,462,854; 5,469,854; 5,512,295; 5,527,528; 5,534,259; 5,543,152; 5,556,948; 5,580,575; and 5,595,756, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

The antisense compounds provided herein can be include in a pharmaceutical composition or formulation. The pharmaceutical composition can include any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other compound which, upon administration to an animal, including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds provided herein: i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent compound and do not impart undesired toxicological effects thereto. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” includes a salt prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids or bases, including inorganic or organic acids and bases. For oligonucleotides, preferred examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Sodium salts have been shown to be suitable forms of oligonucleotide drugs.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable derivative” encompasses, but is not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, esters, prodrugs, polymorphs, isomers, isotopically labeled variants of the compounds described herein.

The pharmaceutical compositions described herein may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration may be parenteral. Parenteral administration includes, but is not limited to subcutaneous, intravenous or intramuscular injection or infusion.

Parenteral administration, is preferred to target GCGR expression in the liver and plasma. Oligonucleotides with at least one 2′-O-methoxyethyl modification are believed to be particularly useful for parenteral administration.

The pharmaceutical formulations described herein, which may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, may be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry. Such techniques include the step of bringing into association the active ingredients with the pharmaceutical carrier(s) or excipient(s). In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both.

The compositions described herein may also be formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

Pharmaceutical compositions described herein include, but are not limited to, solutions, emulsions, and liposome-containing formulations. The pharmaceutical compositions and formulations described herein may comprise one or more penetration enhancers, carriers, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients.

Formulations include liposomal formulations. As used in the present invention, the term “liposome” means a vesicle composed of amphiphilic lipids arranged in a spherical bilayer or bilayers. Liposomes are unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles which have a membrane formed from a lipophilic material and an aqueous interior that contains the composition to be delivered. Cationic liposomes are positively charged liposomes which are believed to interact with negatively charged DNA molecules to form a stable complex. Liposomes that are pH-sensitive or negatively-charged are believed to entrap DNA rather than complex with it. Both cationic and noncationic liposomes have been used to deliver DNA to cells.

Liposomes also include “sterically stabilized” liposomes, a term which, as used herein, refers to liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids that, when incorporated into liposomes, result in enhanced circulation lifetimes relative to liposomes lacking such specialized lipids. Liposomes and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

In another embodiment, formulations include saline formulations. In certain embodiments, a formulation consists of the compounds described herein and saline. In certain embodiments, a formulation consists essentially of the compounds described herein and saline. In certain embodiments, the saline is pharmaceutically acceptable grade saline. In certain embodiments, the saline is buffered saline. In certain embodiments, the saline is phosphate buffered saline (PBS).

In certain embodiments, a formulation excludes liposomes. In certain embodiments, the formulation excludes sterically stabilized liposomes. In certain embodiments, a formulation excludes phospholipids. In certain embodiments, the formulation consists essentially of the compounds described herein and saline and excludes liposomes.

The pharmaceutical formulations and compositions may also include surfactants. Surfactants and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

In one embodiment, the present invention employs various penetration enhancers to affect the efficient delivery of nucleic acids, particularly oligonucleotides. Penetration enhancers and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

One of skill in the art will recognize that formulations are routinely designed according to their intended use, i.e. route of administration.

Compositions and formulations for parenteral administration, including subcutaneous, intravenous, and intramuscular injection or infusion may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives such as, but not limited to, penetration enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

In another related embodiment, compositions provided herein may contain one or more antisense compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, targeted to a first nucleic acid and one or more additional antisense compounds targeted to a second nucleic acid target. Alternatively, compositions provided herein may contain two or more antisense compounds targeted to different regions of the same nucleic acid target. Numerous examples of antisense compounds are known in the art. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially.

Dosing

Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the disease state to be treated, with the course of treatment lasting from several days to several months, or until a cure is effected or a diminution of the disease state is achieved. Optimal dosing schedules can be calculated from measurements of drug accumulation in the body of the patient. Optimum dosages may vary depending on the relative potency of individual oligonucleotides, and can generally be estimated based on EC₅₀s found to be effective in in vitro and in vivo animal models. In general, dosage is from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, and may be given once or more daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or at desired intervals. Following successful treatment, it may be desirable to have the patient undergo maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of the disease state, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered in maintenance doses, ranging from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, once or more daily.

While the present invention has been described with specificity in accordance with certain of its preferred embodiments, the following examples serve only to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the same. Each of the references, GenBank accession numbers, and the like recited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Certain Compounds

About seven hundred and seventy seven newly designed and previously disclosed antisense compounds of various lengths, motifs and backbone composition were tested for their effect on human GCGR mRNA in vitro in several cell types (Example 1). The new compounds were compared with previously designed compounds, including ISIS 310457, ISIS 315163, and ISIS 325568 which have previously been determined to be some of the most potent antisense compounds in vitro (see e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,853 and US Published Patent Application No. US2007-0087987). Of the about seven hundred and seventy seven newly designed and previously designed antisense compounds, only those compounds which were selected for further study based on in vitro potency are presented. The selected compounds were tested for dose dependent inhibition in cynomolgus primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells (Examples 5-13). Of the 120 compounds tested by dose response assays, 33 antisense oligonucleotides were selected for in vivo tolerability assays.

The final selected 33 oligonucleotides, ISIS 304538 (SEQ ID NO: 112), ISIS 304539 (SEQ ID NO: 113), ISIS 325568 (SEQ ID NO: 4), ISIS 398457 (SEQ ID NO: 9), ISIS 398471 (SEQ ID NO: 17), ISIS 398486 (SEQ ID NO: 24), ISIS 398491 (SEQ ID NO: 105), ISIS 398506 (SEQ ID NO: 108), ISIS 398507 (SEQ ID NO: 109), ISIS 398508 (SEQ ID NO: 110), ISIS 436034 (SEQ ID NO: 35), ISIS 436140 (SEQ ID NO: 102), ISIS 436141 (SEQ ID NO: 114), ISIS 448718 (SEQ ID NO: 99), ISIS 448730 (SEQ ID NO: 100), ISIS 448754 (SEQ ID NO: 98), ISIS 448766 (SEQ ID NO: 31), ISIS 448817 (SEQ ID NO: 52), ISIS 448818 (SEQ ID NO: 56), ISIS 448819 (SEQ ID NO: 58), ISIS 448848 (SEQ ID NO: 62), ISIS 448860 (SEQ ID NO: 65), ISIS 448890 (SEQ ID NO: 68), ISIS 449884 (SEQ ID NO: 11), ISIS 449954 (SEQ ID NO: 51), ISIS 449956 (SEQ ID NO: 54), ISIS 459014 (SEQ ID NO: 80), ISIS 459024 (SEQ ID NO: 89), ISIS 459032 (SEQ ID NO: 81), ISIS 459040 (SEQ ID NO: 82), ISIS 459046 (SEQ ID NO: 83), ISIS 459076 (SEQ ID NO: 84), and ISIS 459157 (SEQ ID NO: 85), were tested for tolerability in a CD1 mouse model, as well as a Sprague-Dawley rat model. The compounds are complementary to the regions 548-567, 2016-2035, and 2018-2037 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and 6682-6698, 7267-7283, 7270-7286, 7292-7308, 7295-7311, 7316-7332, 7317-7333, 7319-7335, 7341-7357, 7344-7360, 7365-7381, 7368-7384, 7389-7405, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7453, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8030-8049, 8133-8152, 8141-8160, 8144-8160, 9002-9021, 9008-9027, 9245-9264, 9246-9262, 9804-9823, 10676-10695, 10718-10734, 12030-12049, 12031-12050, 12031-12047, 12032-12051, 12033-12052, 12033-12049, 12036-12055, 12175-12194, 12178-12194, 13490-13509, 14138-14157, 15075-15094, 15743-15762, 15744-15763, 15745-15764, and 15746-15765 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

In the in vivo models, body weights and organ weights, liver function markers (such as alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and bilirubin), and kidney function markers (such as BUN and creatinine) were measured. In the mouse model, ISIS 304538, ISIS 325568, ISIS 398457, ISIS 398471, ISIS 398491, ISIS 436140, ISIS 448754, ISIS 448766, ISIS 448818, ISIS 449884, ISIS 449956, ISIS 459014, ISIS 459024, ISIS 459032, ISIS 459040, ISIS 459046, ISIS 459076, and ISIS 459157 were tolerable in terms of transaminase levels (Example 11). In the Sprague-Dawley rat model, ISIS 325568, ISIS 398457, ISIS 398471, ISIS 398491, ISIS 436140, ISIS 448730, ISIS 448754, ISIS 448817, ISIS 448818, ISIS 448848, ISIS 449884, ISIS 449956, ISIS 459014, ISIS 459032, ISIS 459040, ISIS 459046, ISIS 459076, and ISIS 459157 were deemed tolerable in terms of levels of both liver function and kidney function markers (Example 12).

Nine compounds, ISIS 325568 (SEQ ID NO: 4), ISIS 398471 (SEQ ID NO: 17), ISIS 436140 (SEQ ID NO: 102), ISIS 448766 (SEQ ID NO: 31), ISIS 449884 (SEQ ID NO: 11), ISIS 459014 (SEQ ID NO: 80), ISIS 459032 (SEQ ID NO: 81), ISIS 459040 (SEQ ID NO: 82), and ISIS 459157 (SEQ ID NO: 85), were selected from the tolerability models and assayed for long-term effects on tolerability in a CD/1GS rat model for 13 weeks (Example 13). Organ weights, liver function markers (such as alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and bilirubin), and kidney function markers (such as BUN and creatinine) were measured. The nine compounds were also tested for their viscosity, which was found to be optimal for all the oligonucleotides (Example 14)

ISIS 449884, which demonstrated very good tolerability in all three in vivo models, was tested for its half-life in CD1 mouse liver (Example 15). The half-life of ISIS 449884 was calculated to be 15 days.

Final evaluation of these studies (Examples 11-15) led to the selection of eight oligonucleotides having a nucleobase sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17 (ISIS 398471), 102 (ISIS 436140), 31 (ISIS 448766), 11 (ISIS 449884), 80 (ISIS 459014), 81 (ISIS 459032), 82 (ISIS 459040) or 85 (ISIS 459157). The compounds are complementary to the regions 7267-7283, 7270-7286, 7292-7308, 7295-7311, 7316-7332, 7319-7335, 7341-7357, 7344-7360, 7437-7453, 7365-7381, 7368-7384, 7389-7405, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, 15743-15762 of SEQ ID NO: 2. In certain embodiments, the compounds targeting the listed regions, as further described herein, comprise a modified oligonucleotide having some nucleobase portion of the sequence recited in the SEQ ID NOs, as further described herein, In certain embodiments, the compounds targeting the listed regions or having a nucleobase portion of a sequence recited in the listed SEQ ID NOs can be of various length, as further described herein, and can have one of various motifs, as further described herein. In certain embodiments, a compound targeting a region or having a nucleobase portion of a sequence recited in the listed SEQ ID NOs has the specific length and motif, as indicated by the ISIS NOs: 398471, 436140, 448766, 449884, 459014, 459032, 459040, and 459157.

These eight compounds were tested for activity, pharmacokinetic profile and tolerability in cynomolgus monkeys (Example 16). Treatment with some of the compounds caused reduction of GCGR mRNA expression in liver tissue. Specifically, treatment with ISIS 449884, ISIS 459157, and ISIS 325568 caused significant reduction of GCGR mRNA expression in liver tissue, compared to the PBS control. It was noted that ISIS 449884 caused the highest reduction of GCGR mRNA expression compared to the PBS control. Increased glucagon levels are a consequence of inhibition of GCGR mRNA levels. Treatment with ISIS 325568, ISIS 448766, ISIS 459157, and ISIS 449884 caused significant increases in plasma glucagon levels, with ISIS 449884 causing the highest increase. Hence, in terms of activity, ISIS 449884 was the most effective in the monkey study. Treatment with the compounds was well tolerated in the monkeys, in particular, treatment with ISIS 449884.

Accordingly, provided herein are antisense compounds with any one or more of the improved characteristics. In certain embodiments, the compounds as described herein are efficacious by virtue of having at least one of an in vitro IC₅₀ of less than 0.1 μM, less than 0.2 μM, less than 0.4 μM, less than 0.35 μM, less than 0.3 μM, less than 2.5 μM, less than 2.0 μM, less than 1.5 μM, less than 1.0 μM, when delivered to a HepG2 cell line using electroporation as described in Examples 8-11. In a certain such embodiments, the compounds are complementary to one or more of the regions 548-567, 2016-2035, and 2018-2037 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and 6682-6698, 7267-7283, 7270-7286, 7292-7308, 7295-7311, 7316-7332, 7317-7333, 7319-7335, 7341-7357, 7344-7360, 7365-7381, 7368-7384, 7389-7405, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7437-7453, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8030-8049, 8133-8152, 8141-8160, 8144-8160, 9002-9021, 9008-9027, 9245-9264, 9246-9262, 9804-9823, 10676-10695, 10718-10734, 12030-12049, 12031-12050, 12031-12047, 12032-12051, 12033-12052, 12033-12049, 12036-12055, 12175-12194, 12178-12194, 13490-13509, 14138-14157, 15075-15094, 15743-15762, 15744-15763, 15745-15764, and 15746-15765 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

In certain embodiments, the compounds as described herein are highly tolerable, as demonstrated by having at least one of an increase an ALT or AST value of no more than about 100 fold, about 60 fold, about 50 fold, about 40 fold, about 30 fold, about 25 fold, about 10 fold, about 5 fold, about 4 fold, about 3 fold, or about 2 fold over saline treated animals; or an increase in liver, spleen or kidney weight of no more than about 30%, about 20%, about 15%, about 12%, about 10%, about 5% or about 2% as described in the Examples. In certain such embodiments, the compounds are complementary to one or more of the regions 7267-7283, 7270-7286, 7292-7308, 7295-7311, 7316-7332, 7319-7335, 7341-7357, 7344-7360, 7437-7453, 7365-7381, 7368-7384, 7389-7405, 7392-7408, 7416-7432, 7440-7456, 7783-7799, 8133-8152, 8144-8160, 9804-9823, 10718-10734, 15743-15762 of SEQ ID NO: 2

EXAMPLES Non-Limiting Disclosure and Incorporation by Reference

While certain compounds, compositions and methods described herein have been described with specificity in accordance with certain embodiments, the following examples serve only to illustrate the compounds described herein and are not intended to limit the same. Each of the references recited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Example 1 Antisense Inhibition of Human Glucagon Receptor (GCGR) in HepG2 Cells

Antisense oligonucleotides were designed targeting a GCGR nucleic acid and were tested for their effects on GCGR mRNA in vitro. ISIS 310457, which was described in an earlier publication (WO 2007/035771) was also tested. Cultured HepG2 cells at a density of 40,000 cells per well were transfected using electroporation with 4,000 nM antisense oligonucleotide. After a treatment period of approximately 24 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human primer probe set RTS1508 (forward sequence GACACCCCCGCCAATACC, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 116; reverse sequence CCGCATCTCTTGAACACGAA, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 117; probe sequence TTGGCACCACAAAGT, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 118) was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells. A total of 309 oligonucleotides were tested. Only those oligonucleotides which were selected for dose response assays are shown in Table 1.

The newly designed chimeric antisense oligonucleotides in Table 1 were designed as 3-10-4 MOE gapmers or 5-10-5 MOE gapmers. The 3-10-4 MOE gapmers are 17 nucleosides in length, wherein the central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and is flanked by a wing segment on the 5′ direction comprising three nucleosides and by a wing segment on the 3′ direction comprising four nucleosides. The 5-10-5 MOE gapmers are 20 nucleosides in length, wherein the central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and is flanked by wing segments on the 5′ direction and the 3′ direction comprising five nucleosides each. Each nucleoside in the 5′ wing segment and each nucleoside in the 3′ wing segment has a 2′-MOE modification. The internucleoside linkages throughout each gapmer are phosphorothioate (P═S) linkages. All cytosine residues throughout each gapmer are 5-methylcytosines. “Start site” indicates the 5′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer is targeted in the human gene sequence. “Stop site” indicates the 3′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer is targeted human gene sequence. Each gapmer listed in Table 1 is targeted to either the human GCGR mRNA, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1 (GENBANK Accession No. NM_(—)000160.3) or the human GCGR genomic sequence, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2 (GENBANK Accession No. NW_(—)926918.1 truncated from nucleotides 16865000 to 16885000). ‘n/a’ indicates that the antisense oligonucleotide does not target that particular gene sequence.

TABLE 1 Inhibition of human GCGR mRNA levels by chimeric antisense oligonucleotides targeted to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 1 NO: 1 NO: 2 NO: 2 SEQ ISIS Start Stop % Start Stop ID NO Site Site Sequence inhibition Motif Site Site NO 310457  548  564 GCACTTTGTGGTGCCAAGGC 88 5-10-5 n/a n/a 4 449823 1098 1114 GCACCCCAGCCGATGCC 91 3-10-4 n/a n/a 5 450035 n/a n/a AGCCCTGGCCGGTCCTT 82 3-10-4 6691 6707 6 449881 n/a n/a TCCCGAGGTGCCCAATG 89 3-10-4 7267 7283 7 7292 7308 7316 7332 7341 7357 7365 7381 7389 7405 7437 7453 449882 n/a n/a TTCCCGAGGTGCCCAAT 87 3-10-4 7268 7284 8 7293 7309 7317 7333 7342 7358 7366 7382 7390 7406 7414 7430 7438 7454 398457 n/a n/a GGGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAAT 95 3-10-4 7268 7287 9 7293 7312 7317 7336 7342 7361 7366 7385 7390 7409 7414 7433 7438 7457 449883 n/a n/a GTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAA 98 3-10-4 7269 7285 10 7294 7310 7318 7334 7343 7359 7367 7383 7391 7407 7415 7431 7439 7455 449884 n/a n/a GGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCA 94 3-10-4 7270 7286 11 7295 7311 7319 7335 7344 7360 7368 7384 7392 7408 7416 7432 7440 7456 449885 n/a n/a GGGTTCCCGAGGTGCCC 93 3-10-4 7271 7287 12 7296 7312 7320 7336 7345 7361 7369 7385 7393 7409 7417 7433 7441 7457 450039 n/a n/a TGATCTCACCCAGCCCT 88 3-10-4 7740 7756 13 449894 n/a n/a AAGGTGACACCAGCCTG 92 3-10-4 7782 7798 14 449895 n/a n/a CTGAAGGTGACACCAGC 90 3-10-4 7785 7801 15 450040 n/a n/a TTCCAGCTGAGCACCCA 84 3-10-4 7897 7913 16 398471 n/a n/a TCCACAGGCCACAGGTGGGC 80 5-10-5 8133 8152 17 449905 n/a n/a GCATCCACAGGCCACAG 85 3-10-4 8139 8155 18 449906 n/a n/a AGCATCCACAGGCCACA 90 3-10-4 8140 8156 19 449907 n/a n/a CAGCATCCACAGGCCAC 85 3-10-4 8141 8157 20 449908 n/a n/a CTCAGCATCCACAGGCC 84 3-10-4 8143 8159 21 449910 n/a n/a AGCCACTGGGAGCACCC 85 3-10-4 8386 8402 22 449912 n/a n/a GGCTCTGCCCCAACTCT 82 3-10-4 8448 8464 23 398486 n/a n/a GTGAGCAGCCATGCAGGCTT 95 5-10-5 9002 9021 24 449916 n/a n/a GAGCAGCCATGCAGGCT 86 3-10-4 9003 9019 25 449917 n/a n/a TGAGCAGCCATGCAGGC 90 3-10-4 9004 9020 26 449922 n/a n/a GCCAGGTGAGCAGCCAT 86 3-10-4 9010 9026 27 450049 n/a n/a AGGGACAGGCACCTGCG 87 3-10-4 9130 9146 28 450050 n/a n/a GCCTGGATTTTAGCCTC 84 3-10-4 9249 9265 29 448762 n/a n/a CGGGGTGGCAACAGCTACAC 80 5-10-5 9592 9611 30 448766 n/a n/a GCAAGGCTCGGTTGGGCTTC 86 5-10-5 9804 9823 31 450054 n/a n/a TGCAAGGCTCGGTTGGG 82 3-10-4 9808 9824 32 449759 176 192 GCAGAGCAGCAGAGCCT 80 3-10-4 10667 10683 33 449760 177 193 GGCAGAGCAGCAGAGCC 88 3-10-4 10668 10684 34 436034 185 204 GGCAGCTGAGTGGCAGAGCA 72 5-10-5 10676 10695 35 450059 281 297 GCATGCCTCTGGGCAGC 88 3-10-4 10772 10788 36 448799 n/a n/a AGGCACAGGCTGAAAGGCTC 80 5-10-5 11667 11686 37 449938 n/a n/a AGGCCAGGCACAGGCTG 92 3-10-4 11675 11691 38 448802 n/a n/a GCTGAGGCCAGGCACAGGCT 87 5-10-5 11676 11695 39 398585 n/a n/a GGCTGCATAAGCACCCAGGA 87 5-10-5 11724 11743 40 449944 n/a n/a CTGCATAAGCACCCAGG 84 3-10-4 11725 11741 41 449945 n/a n/a CCCAGCTCTGTGGCTCA 90 3-10-4 11819 11835 42 448806 n/a n/a GTCCCCAGCTCTGTGGCTCA 96 5-10-5 11819 11838 43 450061 n/a n/a GCAAGTCCCCAGCTCTG 91 3-10-4 11826 11842 44 449948 n/a n/a CGCCCTGGCACTGTCTG 88 3-10-4 11962 11978 45 449949 n/a n/a GTGTCCAGGCCATGATA 88 3-10-4 12026 12042 46 449951 n/a n/a AAGTGTCCAGGCCATGA 93 3-10-4 12028 12044 47 398504 n/a n/a CCCAAGTGTCCAGGCCATGA 91 5-10-5 12028 12047 48 449952 n/a n/a CAAGTGTCCAGGCCATG 90 3-10-4 12029 12045 49 449953 n/a n/a CCAAGTGTCCAGGCCAT 91 3-10-4 12030 12046 50 449954 n/a n/a CCCAAGTGTCCAGGCCA 92 3-10-4 12031 12047 51 448817 n/a n/a CACCCCAAGTGTCCAGGCCA 98 5-10-5 12031 12050 52 449955 n/a n/a CCCCAAGTGTCCAGGCC 94 3-10-4 12032 12048 53 449956 n/a n/a ACCCCAAGTGTCCAGGC 89 3-10-4 12033 12049 54 449958 n/a n/a GCACCCCAAGTGTCCAG 93 3-10-4 12035 12051 55 448818 n/a n/a CCCTGCACCCCAAGTGTCCA 83 5-10-5 12036 12055 56 449960 n/a n/a AAACCTGTGGCTGCCAC 93 3-10-4 12175 12191 57 448819 n/a n/a GCCAAACCTGTGGCTGCCAC 95 5-10-5 12175 12194 58 449797  733 749 GGACAGGCTGTAGCCCA 83 3-10-4 13034 13050 59 448840 n/a n/a GGCTCACTCCATCACTGAGC 82 5-10-5 13314 13333 60 449967 n/a n/a CCACCTGCCTGGCTGCC 89 3-10-4 13366 13382 61 448848 1024 1043 GTGCAGGTACAGGCCCTCCA 92 5-10-5 13490 13509 62 448850 1049 1068 GGAGGGTGGCCAGGCCCAGC 80 5-10-5 13515 13534 63 449819 1093 1109 CCAGCCGATGCCCAGGT 82 3-10-4 13559 13575 64 448860 n/a n/a GGCCAGTGTCCTGGTGTCCT 79 5-10-5 14138 14157 65 449836 1467 1483 GCCACCAGCAGGCCCTG 87 3-10-4 14779 14795 66 450074 n/a n/a GGGCTGAGGCCAACCTG 91 3-10-4 15007 15023 67 448890 n/a n/a GCCACCCAGCATCGCCACGG 86 5-10-5 15075 15094 68 448897 n/a n/a CCCTGCTGGGCACAGCTATG 83 5-10-5 15094 15113 69 448901 n/a n/a CACAAGCTCCCTGCTGGGCA 82 5-10-5 15102 15121 70 448903 n/a n/a GAGCGACACAAGCTCCCTGC 86 5-10-5 15108 15127 71 448905 n/a n/a GGTGCAGAGCGACACAAGCT 81 5-10-5 15114 15133 72 449851 1646 1662 GGCTGCCACCACCCCTC 88 3-10-4 15374 15390 73 449856 2016 2032 CTTTATTGTTGGAGGAC 85 3-10-4 15744 15760 74 449858 2018 2034 CTCTTTATTGTTGGAGG 85 3-10-4 15746 15762 75 449859 2019 2035 GCTCTTTATTGTTGGAG 91 3-10-4 15747 15763 76 449860 2020 2036 AGCTCTTTATTGTTGGA 88 3-10-4 15748 15764 77 449861 2021 2037 GAGCTCTTTATTGTTGG 81 3-10-4 15749 15765 78

Example 2 Antisense Inhibition of Human Glucagon Receptor (GCGR) in HepG2 Cells

Additional antisense oligonucleotides were designed to target a GCGR nucleic acid and were tested for their effects on GCGR mRNA in vitro. ISIS 315163 (ACCTGGAAGCTGCTGTACAT (SEQ ID NO 79); start site on SEQ ID NO: 1 is 702; start site on SEQ ID NO: 2 is 13003), which was described in an earlier publication (WO 2004/096016) was also tested. Cultured HepG2 cells at a density of 40,000 cells per well were transfected using electroporation with 1,000 nM antisense oligonucleotide. After a treatment period of approximately 24 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR using human primer probe set RTS1508. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells. A total of 156 antisense oligonucleotides were tested. Only those oligonucleotides which were selected for dose response assays are shown in Table 2.

The newly designed chimeric antisense oligonucleotides in Table 2 were designed as 3-10-3 MOE, 3-10-4 MOE 4-10-4 MOE, 4-10-5 MOE, or 5-10-6 MOE gapmers. The 3-10-3 MOE gapmers are 16 nucleosides in length, wherein the central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and is flanked by wing segments on the 5′ direction and the 3′ direction comprising three nucleosides each. The 3-10-4 MOE gapmers are 17 nucleosides in length, wherein the central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and is flanked by a wing segment on the 5′ direction comprising three nucleosides and by a wing segment on the 3′ direction comprising four nucleosides. The 4-10-4 MOE gapmers are 18 nucleosides in length, wherein the central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and is flanked by wing segments on the 5′ direction and the 3′ direction comprising four nucleosides each. The 4-10-5 MOE gapmers are 19 nucleosides in length, wherein the central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and is flanked by a wing segment on the 5′ direction comprising four nucleosides and by a wing segment on the 3′ direction comprising five nucleosides. The 5-10-6 MOE gapmers are 21 nucleosides in length, wherein the central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and is flanked by a wing segment on the 5′ direction comprising five nucleosides and by a wing segment on the 3′ direction comprising six nucleosides. Each nucleoside in the 5′ wing segment and each nucleoside in the 3′ wing segment has a 2′-MOE modification. The internucleoside linkages throughout each gapmer are phosphorothioate (P═S) linkages. All cytosine residues throughout each gapmer are 5-methylcytosines. “Start site” indicates the 5′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer is targeted in the human gene sequence. “Stop site” indicates the 3′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer is targeted in the human gene sequence. Each gapmer listed in Table 2 is targeted to either the human GCGR mRNA, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1 (GENBANK Accession No. NM_(—)000160.3) or the human GCGR genomic sequence, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2 (GENBANK Accession No. NW_(—)926918.1 truncated from nucleotides 16865000 to 16885000). ‘n/a’ indicates that the antisense oligonucleotide does not target that particular gene sequence.

TABLE 2 Inhibition of human GCGR mRNA levels by chimeric antisense oligonucleotides targeted to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 1 NO: 1 NO: 2 NO: 2 SEQ ISIS Start Stop % Start Stop ID NO Site Site Sequence inhibition Motif Site Site NO 315163 702 721 ACCTGGAAGCTGCTGTACAT 38 5-10-5 13003 13022 79 459014 227 243 GGGCAATGCAGTCCTGG 62 3-10-4 10718 10734 80 459032 n/a n/a GAAGGTGACACCAGCCT 83 3-10-4 7783 7799 81 459040 n/a n/a GCTCAGCATCCACAGGC 63 3-10-4 8144 8160 82 459046 n/a n/a TGGATTTTAGCCTCCTC 73 3-10-4 9246 9262 83 459076 n/a n/a GCCAAACCTGTGGCTGC 84 3-10-4 12178 12194 84 459157 n/a n/a GGGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAATG 92 5-10-6 7267 7287 85 7292 7312 7316 7336 7341 7361 7365 7385 7389 7409 7437 7457 459010 n/a n/a GGTTCCCGAGGTGCCC 100 3-10-3 7271 7286 86 7296 7311 7320 7335 7345 7360 7369 7384 7393 7408 7417 7432 7441 7456 459011 n/a n/a GGGTTCCCGAGGTGCC 89 3-10-3 7272 7287 87 7297 7312 7321 7336 7346 7361 7370 7385 7394 7409 7418 7433 7442 7457 459058 n/a n/a GAGGCCAGGCACAGGCT 75 3-10-4 11676 11692 88 459024 n/a n/a CGGTCCTTGGAGGATGC 63 3-10-4 6682 6698 89 459088 n/a n/a GTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAATG 89 4-10-5 7267 7285 90 7292 7310 7316 7334 7341 7359 7365 7383 7389 7407 7437 7455 459087 n/a n/a GGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAAT 95 4-10-5 7268 7286 91 7293 7311 7317 7335 7342 7360 7366 7384 7390 7408 7414 7432 7438 7456 459086 n/a n/a GGGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAA 96 4-10-5 7269 7287 92 7294 7312 7318 7336 7343 7361 7367 7385 7391 7409 7415 7433 7439 7457 459083 n/a n/a GGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAA 91 4-10-4 7269 7286 93 7294 7311 7318 7335 7343 7360 7367 7384 7391 7408 7415 7432 7439 7456 459009 n/a n/a GTTCCCGAGGTGCCCA 61 3-10-3 7270 7285 94 7295 7310 7319 7334 7344 7359 7368 7383 7392 7407 7416 7431 7440 7455 459082 n/a n/a GGGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCA 91 4-10-4 7270 7287 95 7295 7312 7319 7336 7344 7361 7368 7385 7392 7409 7416 7433 7440 7457 459158 n/a n/a GGGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAATA 94 5-10-6 7413 7433 96 459063 n/a n/a CCAGCTCTGTGGCTCAG 62 3-10-4 11818 11834 97

Example 3 Antisense Inhibition of Human Glucagon Receptor (GCGR) in HepG2 Cells

Additional antisense oligonucleotides were designed targeting a GCGR nucleic acid and were tested for their effects on GCGR mRNA in vitro. ISIS 315163 was also tested. ISIS 325568, which has been described in a previous publication (WO 2007/035771) was also tested. Cultured HepG2 cells at a density of 40,000 cells per well were transfected using electroporation with 2,000 nM antisense oligonucleotide. After a treatment period of approximately 24 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR using human primer probe set RTS1508. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells. A total of 78 antisense oligonucleotides were tested. Only those oligonucleotides which were selected for dose response assays are shown in Table 3.

The newly designed chimeric antisense oligonucleotides in Table 3 were designed as 5-10-5 MOE gapmers. The gapmers are 20 nucleosides in length, wherein the central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and is flanked by wing segments on the 5′ direction and the 3′ direction comprising five nucleosides each. Each nucleoside in the 5′ wing segment and each nucleoside in the 3′ wing segment has a 2′-MOE modification. The internucleoside linkages throughout each gapmer are phosphorothioate (P═S) linkages. All cytosine residues throughout each gapmer are 5-methylcytosines. “Start site” indicates the 5′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer is targeted in the human gene sequence. “Stop site” indicates the 3′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer is targeted human gene sequence. Each gapmer listed in Table 3 is targeted to either the human GCGR mRNA, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1 (GENBANK Accession No. NM_(—)000160.3) or the human GCGR genomic sequence, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2 (GENBANK Accession No. NW_(—)926918.1 truncated from nucleotides 16865000 to 16885000). ‘n/a’ indicates that the antisense oligonucleotide does not target that particular gene sequence.

TABLE 3 Inhibition of human GCGR mRNA levels by chimeric antisense oligonucleotides targeted to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 1 NO: 1 NO: 2 NO: 2 SEQ ISIS Start Stop % Start Stop ID NO Site Site Sequence inhibition Motif Site Site NO 315163 702 721 ACCTGGAAGCTGCTGTACAT 42 5-10-5 13003 13022 79 325568 548 567 GCACTTTGTGGTGCCAAGGC 58 2-16-2 n/a n/a 4 448754 n/a n/a CCTGGATTTTAGCCTCCTCC 79 5-10-5 9245 9264 98 448718 n/a n/a TGGGTCTCTGATAGTGAGGC 81 5-10-5 8030 8049 99 448730 n/a n/a GCTCAGCATCCACAGGCCAC 74 5-10-5 8141 8160 100 448738 n/a n/a GCCAAGCCTGGCTCTGCCCC 76 5-10-5 8454 8473 101

Example 4 Antisense Inhibition of Human Glucagon Receptor (GCGR) in HepG2 Cells

Additional antisense oligonucleotides were designed targeting a GCGR nucleic acid and were tested for their effects on GCGR mRNA in vitro. ISIS 315163 and ISIS 325568 were also tested. Cultured HepG2 cells at a density of 40,000 cells per well were transfected using electroporation with 5,000 nM antisense oligonucleotide. After a treatment period of approximately 24 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR using human primer probe set RTS1508. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells. A total of 234 antisense oligonucleotides were tested. Only those oligonucleotides which were selected for dose response assays are shown in Table 4.

The newly designed chimeric antisense oligonucleotides in Table 4 were designed as 5-10-5 MOE gapmers. The gapmers are 20 nucleosides in length, wherein the central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and is flanked by wing segments on the 5′ direction and the 3′ direction comprising five nucleosides each. Each nucleoside in the 5′ wing segment and each nucleoside in the 3′ wing segment has a 2′-MOE modification. The internucleoside linkages throughout each gapmer are phosphorothioate (P═S) linkages. All cytosine residues throughout each gapmer are 5-methylcytosines. “Start site” indicates the 5′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer is targeted in the human gene sequence. “Stop site” indicates the 3′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer is targeted human gene sequence. Each gapmer listed in Table 4 is targeted to either the human GCGR mRNA, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1 (GENBANK Accession No. NM_(—)000160.3) or the human GCGR genomic sequence, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 2 (GENBANK Accession No. NW_(—)926918.1 truncated from nucleotides 16865000 to 16885000). ‘n/a’ indicates that the antisense oligonucleotide does not target that particular gene sequence.

TABLE 4 Inhibition of human GCGR mRNA levels by chimeric antisense oligonucleotides targeted to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 1 NO: 1 NO: 2 NO: 2 SEQ ISIS Start Stop % Start Stop ID NO Site Site Sequence inhibition Motif Site Site NO 315163  702  721 AC CTGGAAGCTGCTGTACAT 71 5-10-5 13003 13022 79 325568  548  567 GCACTTTGTGGTGCCAAGGC 79 2-16-2 n/a n/a 4 436140 2015 2034 CTCTTTATTGTTGGAGGACA 93 5-10-5 15743 15762 102 398455 2014 2033 TCTTTATTGTTGGAGGACAT 89 5-10-5 15742 15761 103 398470 n/a n/a CCACAGGCCACAGGTGGGCT 85 5-10-5 8132 8151 104 398491 n/a n/a AGCCAGGTGAGCAGCCATGC 81 5-10-5 9008 9027 105 398501 n/a n/a AAGTGTCCAGGCCATGATAT 84 5-10-5 12025 12044 106 398503 n/a n/a CCAAGTGTCCAGGCCATGAT 92 5-10-5 12027 12046 107 398506 n/a n/a ACCCCAAGTGTCCAGGCCAT 89 5-10-5 12030 12049 108 398507 n/a n/a GCACCCCAAGTGTCCAGGCC 97 5-10-5 12032 12051 109 398508 n/a n/a TGCACCCCAAGTGTCCAGGC 87 5-10-5 12033 12052 110 304535 1988 2007 GCACATGGGACGTGCCGACA 98 5-10-5 15716 15735 111 304538 2016 2035 GCTCTTTATTGTTGGAGGAC 95 5-10-5 15744 15763 112 304539 2018 2037 GAGCTCTTTATTGTTGGAGG 92 5-10-5 15746 15765 113 436141 2017 2036 AGCTCTTTATTGTTGGAGGA 93 5-10-5 15745 15764 114 436164 n/a n/a GGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAATG 92 5-10-5 7267 7286 115 7292 7311 7316 7335 7341 7360 7365 7384 7389 7408 7437 7456

Example 5 Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Human GCGR in Cynomolgus Primary Hepatocytes

Gapmers from Example 1 exhibiting significant in vitro inhibition of human GCGR were tested under various conditions in cynomolgus primary hepatocytes. Cells were plated at a density of 24,000 cells per well and transfected using electroporation with 0.4 μM, 1.1 μM, 3.3 μM, and 10.0 μM concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide, as specified in Table 5. After a treatment period of approximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human GCGR primer probe set RTS1508 was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells.

The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of each oligonucleotide is also presented in Table 5 and was calculated by plotting the concentrations of oligonucleotides used versus the percent inhibition of GCGR mRNA expression achieved at each concentration, and noting the concentration of oligonucleotide at which 50% inhibition of GCGR mRNA expression was achieved compared to the control. As illustrated in Table 5, GCGR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells.

TABLE 5 Dose-dependent antisense inhibition of human GCGR in cynomolgus primary hepatocytes using electroporation IC₅₀ ISIS No 0.4 μM 1.1 μM 3.3 μM 10.0 μM (μM) 315163 23 39 73 88 2.0 398457 64 69 71 68 <0.3 449759 24 47 75 85 1.3 449760 43 49 77 86 0.7 449797 38 54 69 93 0.8 449819 30 36 56 85 1.7 449823 29 31 43 82 2.5 449836 29 37 62 85 1.6 449851 14 36 73 93 1.6 449856 0 39 70 88 2.1 449858 16 27 65 86 2.1 449859 57 76 92 96 <0.3 449860 41 66 86 91 0.5 449881 27 49 67 70 1.5 449882 33 33 53 71 2.3 449883 63 66 75 76 <0.3 449884 64 77 74 71 <0.3 449885 67 74 71 76 <0.3 449894 55 56 74 78 <0.3 449895 44 60 71 72 0.5 449905 47 59 65 69 0.4 449906 52 66 75 80 <0.3 449907 35 36 62 70 1.8 449908 21 48 67 69 1.8 449910 7 16 51 61 4.8 449912 21 45 66 60 2.3 449916 16 40 55 55 3.9 449917 45 67 72 71 0.3 449922 39 48 60 67 1.3 449938 5 22 44 41 >10.0 449944 6 0 25 62 7.0 449945 22 36 57 64 2.8 449948 0 19 45 60 5.2 449949 0 16 41 52 7.8 449951 26 40 55 61 2.9 449952 21 28 52 62 3.8 449953 15 22 49 59 4.8 449954 0 53 60 58 3.4 449955 30 43 61 66 1.9 449956 10 40 52 64 3.3 449958 17 46 54 67 2.6 449960 10 22 46 63 4.7 449967 0 16 36 49 9.8 450035 0 35 41 60 5.0 450039 18 30 51 60 4.2 450040 0 21 41 66 4.7 450049 22 27 59 68 2.9 450050 28 22 49 61 4.7 450054 0 11 22 25 >10.0 450059 11 41 64 78 2.1 450061 13 29 49 60 4.4 450074 15 27 40 61 5.4

Example 6 Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Human GCGR in HepG2 Cells

Gapmers from Example 5 exhibiting significant in vitro inhibition of GCGR mRNA were selected and tested at various doses in HepG2 cells. Cells were plated at a density of 40,000 cells per well and transfected using electroporation with 0.12 μM, 0.37 μM, 1.11 μM, 3.33 μM and 10.00 μM concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide, as specified in Table 6. After a treatment period of approximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human GCGR primer probe set RTS1508 was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells.

The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of each oligonucleotide is also presented in Table 6. As illustrated in Table 6, GCGR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells.

TABLE 6 Dose-dependent antisense inhibition of human GCGR in HepG2 cells using electroporation 10.00 IC₅₀ ISIS No 0.12 μM 0.37 μM 1.11 μM 3.33 μM μM (μM) 315163 0 3 26 62 88 2.2 398457 47 81 94 97 97 <0.1 449760 0 26 64 91 97 0.8 449797 0 16 42 84 95 1.2 449819 0 17 40 79 93 1.3 449851 4 28 65 94 97 0.7 449859 36 51 89 95 95 0.2 449860 30 53 77 86 94 0.3 449882 0 19 57 85 97 1.0 449883 7 49 84 92 96 0.5 449884 67 87 95 94 97 <0.1 449885 44 83 77 97 95 <0.1 449894 1 34 78 87 98 0.7 449895 0 31 29 84 95 1.1 449906 12 26 67 93 95 0.7

Example 7 Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Human GCGR in HepG2 Cells

Gapmers from Example 5 exhibiting significant in vitro inhibition of GCGR mRNA were further selected and tested at various doses in HepG2 cells. Cells were plated at a density of 40,000 cells per well and transfected using electroporation with 0.04 μM, 0.12 μM, 0.37 μM, 1.11 μM, 3.33 μM and 10.00 μM concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide, as specified in Table 7. After a treatment period of approximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human GCGR primer probe set RTS1508 was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells.

The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of each oligonucleotide is also presented in Table 7.

GCGR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells. ‘n/a’ denotes that there is no data for that ISIS oligonucleotide for that particular concentration. ISIS 398457, ISIS 449884, and ISIS 449954, which caused significant reduction of GCGR mRNA levels, were selected for further studies. Significantly, ISIS 449884 demonstrated an IC₅₀ ten to fifty times lower than the benchmark ISIS 315163 in head-to-head studies presented in Examples 5-7.

TABLE 7 Dose-dependent antisense inhibition of human GCGR in HepG2 cells using electroporation 0.04 1.11 10.00 IC₅₀ ISIS No μM 0.12 μM 0.37 μM μM 3.33 μM μM (μM) 315163 22 9 22 45 67 93 1.5 398457 36 62 88 99 99 100 0.1 449856 8 24 49 73 92 95 0.4 449858 28 27 41 80 93 97 0.3 449859 16 40 72 89 97 98 0.2 449860 32 38 46 78 94 98 0.2 449883 25 27 68 92 98 100 0.2 449884 42 59 93 99 100 n/a <0.04 449885 18 60 84 97 98 n/a 0.1 449894 8 31 44 83 96 99 0.3 449951 0 32 62 86 98 99 0.4 449954 9 40 57 86 99 99 0.2

Example 8 Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Human GCGR in Cynomolgus Primary Hepatocytes

Gapmers from studies described in Examples 1-7 were further tested at various doses in cynomolgus primary hepatocytes. Cells were plated at a density of 35,000 cells per well and transfected using electroporation with 750 nM, 1,500 nM, 3,000 nM, 6,000 nM, and 12,000 nM concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide, as specified in Table 8. After a treatment period of approximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human GCGR primer probe set RTS1508 was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells. As illustrated in Table 8, GCGR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells.

TABLE 8 Dose-dependent antisense inhibition of human GCGR in cynomolgus primary hepatocytes using electroporation 12000.0 ISIS No 750.0 nM 1500.0 nM 3000.0 nM 6000.0 nM nM 398457 85 89 92 89 85 398471 78 85 87 85 87 436140 81 93 96 97 96 448754 44 59 80 80 81 448766 79 90 88 87 83 448818 19 13 58 64 76 449884 89 92 89 87 90 459014 51 63 79 82 84 459032 78 85 88 88 87 459040 70 77 81 89 83 459046 34 38 65 61 80 459076 31 39 67 79 77 459157 89 87 88 88 86

Example 9 Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Human GCGR in Cynomolgus Primary Hepatocytes

Gapmers from Example 8 exhibiting significant in vitro inhibition of human GCGR were further selected and tested at various doses in cynomolgus primary hepatocytes. ISIS 325568 (GCACTTTGTGGTGCCAAGGC (SEQ ID NO: 4), target start site 548 on SEQ ID NO: 1), which was described in an earlier publication (BIOL066USL) was also tested. Cells were plated at a density of 35,000 cells per well and transfected using electroporation with 0.006 μM, 0.020 μM, 0.063 μM, 0.200 μM, 0.632 μM, 2.000 μM, 6.325 μM, and 20.000 μM concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide, as specified in Table 9. After a treatment period of approximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human GCGR primer probe set RTS1508 was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells.

The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of each oligonucleotide is also presented in Table 9. GCGR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells.

TABLE 9 Dose-dependent antisense inhibition of human GCGR in cynomolgus primary hepatocytes using electroporation ISIS IC₅₀ No 0.006 μM 0.020 μM 0.063 μM 0.200 μM 0.632 μM 2.000 μM 6.325 μM 20.000 μM (μM) 325568 0 0 0 0 0 42 75 93 3.1 398471 0 4 7 24 62 65 65 59 0.4 448766 5 0 0 2 28 51 57 34 0.6 449884 0 12 61 59 71 68 72 62 0.1 459014 1 0 2 23 15 47 69 74 2.6 459032 0 6 4 33 55 68 72 61 0.5 459157 0 12 29 69 69 72 73 62 0.1 Based on the inhibition data, ISIS 398471, ISIS 448766, ISIS 449884, ISIS 459014, ISIS 459032, and ISIS 459157 were selected for in vivo testing in a mouse model.

Example 10 Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Human GCGR in HepG2 Cells

Gapmers from studies described in Examples 1, 4, and 9 were further tested at various doses in HepG2 cells. Cells were plated at a density of 40,000 cells per well and transfected using electroporation with 0.12 μM, 0.37 μM, 1.11 μM, 3.33 μM, and 10.00 μM concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide, as specified in Table 10. After a treatment period of approximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human GCGR primer probe set RTS1508 was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells. As illustrated in Table 10, GCGR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells.

TABLE 10 Dose-dependent antisense inhibition of human GCGR in HepG2 cells using electroporation 10.00 IC₅₀ ISIS No 0.12 μM 0.37 μM 1.11 μM 3.33 μM μM (μM) 398455 35 57 81 94 94 0.2 398457 33 79 91 97 98 0.1 398470 37 48 86 92 96 0.2 398471 33 50 86 92 87 0.2 398486 50 47 85 91 98 0.1 398491 25 61 73 96 92 0.3 398501 35 43 85 98 98 0.3 398503 21 58 80 97 99 0.3 398504 51 57 91 92 98 0.1 398506 40 71 96 98 99 0.1 398507 59 85 97 98 n/a <0.1 398508 22 48 90 94 98 0.3 398585 25 57 84 88 93 0.3 436034 34 56 61 81 92 0.3 Based on the inhibition results, ISIS 398457, ISIS 398471, ISIS 398486, ISIS 398491, ISIS 398506, ISIS 398507, ISIS 398508, and ISIS 436034 were selected for testing in a mouse model.

Example 11 Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Human GCGR in HepG2 Cells

Gapmers from the study described in Example 4 were further tested at various doses in HepG2 cells. Cells were plated at a density of 40,000 cells per well and transfected using electroporation with 0.04 μM, 0.12 μM, 0.37 μM, 1.11 μM, 3.33 μM, and 10.00 μM concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide, as specified in Table 11. After a treatment period of approximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human GCGR primer probe set RTS1508 was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells. GCGR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells.

TABLE 11 Dose-dependent antisense inhibition of human GCGR in HepG2 cells using electroporation 0.04 1.11 10.00 IC₅₀ ISIS No μM 0.12 μM 0.37 μM μM 3.33 μM μM (μM) 304535 21 31 55 90 99 96 0.2 304538 27 42 73 91 100 95 0.1 304539 15 33 56 87 95 93 0.3 436140 4 27 57 85 94 95 0.3 436141 19 27 64 84 92 95 0.3 436164 12 37 75 94 94 96 0.2 Based on the inhibition results, ISIS 304538, ISIS 304539, ISIS 436140 and ISIS 436141 were selected for testing in a mouse model.

Example 12 Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Human GCGR in HepG2 Cells

Gapmers from the study described in Examples 1, 3, 8 and 9 were further tested at various doses in HepG2 cells. Cells were plated at a density of 40,000 cells per well and transfected using electroporation with 0.12 μM, 0.37 μM, 1.11 μM, 3.33 μM, and 10.00 μM concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide, as specified in Table 12. After a treatment period of approximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human GCGR primer probe set RTS1508 was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells. GCGR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells.

TABLE 12 Dose-dependent antisense inhibition of human GCGR in HepG2 cells using electroporation 10.00 IC₅₀ ISIS No 0.12 μM 0.37 μM 1.11 μM 3.33 μM μM (μM) 448718 35 64 74 90 92 0.2 448730 44 67 87 94 85 0.1 448738 31 52 75 95 97 0.3 448754 40 47 81 95 96 0.3 448762 43 62 75 96 97 0.2 448766 36 59 88 94 85 0.2 448799 42 53 92 96 99 0.2 448802 43 70 88 97 93 0.1 448806 39 60 82 97 96 0.2 448817 35 62 95 88 92 0.2 448818 29 52 74 97 98 0.3 448819 73 89 97 n/a 93 <0.1 448840 31 58 80 83 98 0.3 448848 71 92 98 98 99 <0.1 448850 54 60 74 88 94 <0.1 448860 41 58 73 92 98 0.2 448890 49 60 83 94 99 0.1 448897 50 52 80 92 97 0.2 448901 29 58 81 91 99 0.3 448903 32 48 73 91 99 0.3 448905 43 49 76 89 97 0.2 Based on the inhibition results, ISIS 448718, ISIS 448730, ISIS 448754, ISIS 448766, ISIS 448817, ISIS 448818, ISIS 448819, ISIS 448848, ISIS 448860, and ISIS 448890 were selected for testing in a mouse model.

Example 13 Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Human GCGR in HepG2 Cells

Gapmers from the study described in Examples 1, 2, 8, and 9 were further tested at various doses in HepG2 cells. Cells were plated at a density of 40,000 cells per well and transfected using electroporation with 0.12 μM, 0.37 μM, 1.11 μM, 3.33 μM, and 10.00 μM concentrations of antisense oligonucleotide, as specified in Table 13. After a treatment period of approximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GCGR mRNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human GCGR primer probe set RTS1508 was used to measure mRNA levels. GCGR mRNA levels were adjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR, relative to untreated control cells. GCGR mRNA levels were significantly reduced in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells.

TABLE 13 Dose-dependent antisense inhibition of human GCGR in HepG2 cells using electroporation 10.00 IC₅₀ ISIS No 0.12 μM 0.37 μM 1.11 μM 3.33 μM μM (μM) 398457 62 84 95 98 97 <0.1 459009 26 47 80 96 97 0.3 459010 56 90 96 98 97 <0.1 459011 46 81 97 95 96 <0.1 459024 29 56 74 89 95 0.3 459032 40 61 74 97 98 0.2 459040 48 65 84 96 95 0.1 459046 36 54 77 96 98 0.2 459058 21 46 88 95 98 0.3 459063 34 42 79 97 99 0.3 459076 32 72 84 98 99 0.1 459082 46 71 92 97 97 0.1 459083 53 71 90 96 97 <0.1 459086 24 72 92 96 97 0.2 459087 23 67 94 97 98 0.2 459088 34 61 86 95 98 0.2 459157 50 74 92 97 97 <0.1 459158 54 81 94 97 99 <0.1 Based on the inhibition results, ISIS 459024, ISIS 459032, ISIS 459040, ISIS 459046, ISIS 459076, and ISIS 459157 were selected for testing in a mouse model.

Example 14 Tolerability of Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting Human GCGR in CD1 Mice

CD1® mice (Charles River, Mass.) are a multipurpose mice model, frequently utilized for safety and efficacy testing. The mice were treated with ISIS antisense oligonucleotides selected from studies described above and evaluated for changes in the levels of various plasma chemistry markers.

Treatment

Groups of six-week old male CD1 mice were injected subcutaneously twice a week for 6 weeks with 50 mg/kg of ISIS 304538, ISIS 304539, ISIS 325568, ISIS 398457, ISIS 398471, ISIS 398486, ISIS 398491, ISIS 398506, ISIS 398507, ISIS 398508, ISIS 436034, ISIS 436140, ISIS 436141, ISIS 448718, ISIS 448730, ISIS 448754, ISIS 448766, ISIS 448817, ISIS 448818, ISIS 448819, ISIS 448848, ISIS 448860, ISIS 448890, ISIS 449884, ISIS 449954, ISIS 449956, ISIS 459014, ISIS 459024, ISIS 459032, ISIS 459040, ISIS 459046, ISIS 459076, and ISIS 459157. One group of six-week old male CD1 mice was injected subcutaneously twice a week for 6 weeks with PBS. Mice were euthanized 48 hours after the last dose, and organs and plasma were harvested for further analysis.

Plasma Chemistry Markers

To evaluate the effect of ISIS oligonucleotides on liver and kidney function, plasma levels of transaminases, bilirubin, albumin, and BUN were measured using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Hitachi Olympus AU400e, Melville, N.Y.). The results are presented in Table 14. ISIS oligonucleotides that caused changes in the levels of any of the liver or kidney function markers outside the expected range for antisense oligonucleotides were excluded in further studies.

TABLE 14 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on plasma chemistry markers in CD1 mice plasma at week 6 ALT Bilirubin Albumin BUN (IU/L) AST (IU/L) (mg/dL) (mg/dL) (mg/dL) PBS 26 37 0.20 3.2 24 ISIS 304538 71 93 0.18 3.4 24 ISIS 304539 151 126 0.21 3.4 22 ISIS 325568 47 67 0.20 3.1 18 ISIS 398457 26 45 0.28 3.6 25 ISIS 398471 33 46 0.21 3.6 28 ISIS 398486 447 381 0.22 3.5 28 ISIS 398491 56 54 0.20 3.3 28 ISIS 398506 884 823 0.35 3.4 25 ISIS 398507 2381 895 0.28 3.9 24 ISIS 398508 643 227 0.20 3.4 25 ISIS 436034 1481 696 0.38 3.4 23 ISIS 436140 40 62 0.20 3.0 25 ISIS 436141 232 163 0.20 3.3 21 ISIS 448718 378 221 0.20 2.9 25 ISIS 448730 852 398 1.40 3.5 27 ISIS 448754 71 84 0.20 3.4 28 ISIS 448766 47 46 0.26 3.5 23 ISIS 448817 211 144 0.25 3.6 24 ISIS 448818 33 52 0.17 3.1 23 ISIS 448819 196 188 0.25 3.5 23 ISIS 448848 1677 855 0.61 3.1 17 ISIS 448860 951 536 0.22 3.3 20 ISIS 448890 402 345 0.17 3.0 18 ISIS 449884 38 51 0.23 3.5 23 ISIS 449954 1465 1229 0.28 3.7 23 ISIS 449956 55 63 0.17 2.9 21 ISIS 459014 27 50 0.17 3.2 22 ISIS 459024 52 54 0.23 3.3 22 ISIS 459032 50 55 0.22 3.2 21 ISIS 459040 37 70 0.14 3.1 22 ISIS 459046 41 81 0.19 3.0 20 ISIS 459076 33 50 0.21 3.0 22 ISIS 459157 25 43 0.21 3.2 21

Example 15 Tolerability of Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting Human GCGR in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Sprague-Dawley rats are a multipurpose model used for safety and efficacy evaluations. The rats were treated with ISIS antisense oligonucleotides from the study described in Example 14 and evaluated for changes in the levels of various plasma chemistry markers.

Treatment

Seven week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained on a 12-hour light/dark cycle and fed ad libitum with Purina normal rat chow, diet 5001. Groups of four Sprague-Dawley rats each were injected subcutaneously twice a week for 4 weeks with 50 mg/kg of ISIS 304538, ISIS 304539, ISIS 325568, ISIS 398457, ISIS 398471, ISIS 398486, ISIS 398491, ISIS 398506, ISIS 398507, ISIS 398508, ISIS 436034, ISIS 436140, ISIS 436141, ISIS 448718, ISIS 448730, ISIS 448754, ISIS 448766, ISIS 448817, ISIS 448818, ISIS 448819, ISIS 448848, ISIS 448860, ISIS 448890, ISIS 449884, ISIS 449954, ISIS 449956, ISIS 459014, ISIS 459024, ISIS 459032, ISIS 459040, ISIS 459046, ISIS 459076, and ISIS 459157. Forty eight hours after the last dose, rats were euthanized and organs and plasma were harvested for further analysis.

Liver Function

To evaluate the effect of ISIS oligonucleotides on hepatic function, plasma levels of transaminases were measured using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Hitachi Olympus AU400e, Melville, N.Y.). Plasma levels of ALT (alanine transaminase) and AST (aspartate transaminase) were measured and the results are presented in Table 16 expressed in IU/L. Plasma levels of bilirubin, were also measured using the same clinical chemistry analyzer and the results are also presented in Table 16. ALT and AST were also expressed as fold-increase over that of the PBS control, and are presented in Table 17. ISIS oligonucleotides that caused changes in the levels of any markers of liver function outside the expected range for antisense oligonucleotides were excluded in further studies.

TABLE 16 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on liver function in Sprague-Dawley rats ALT AST Bilirubin (IU/L) (IU/L) (mg/dL) PBS 49 74 0.13 ISIS 304538 127 206 0.17 ISIS 304539 48 70 0.10 ISIS 325568 66 89 0.13 ISIS 398457 59 98 0.10 ISIS 398471 57 78 0.10 ISIS 398486 778 734 0.28 ISIS 398491 121 211 0.13 ISIS 398506 236 287 0.57 ISIS 398507 424 231 0.25 ISIS 398508 305 302 0.31 ISIS 436034 338 385 0.30 ISIS 436140 58 92 0.13 ISIS 436141 55 108 0.15 ISIS 448718 99 115 0.13 ISIS 448730 92 110 0.13 ISIS 448754 131 79 0.10 ISIS 448766 70 102 0.10 ISIS 448817 102 169 0.16 ISIS 448818 92 188 0.19 ISIS 448819 261 211 0.11 ISIS 448848 105 125 0.14 ISIS 448860 203 248 0.79 ISIS 448890 224 204 0.22 ISIS 449884 134 121 0.15 ISIS 449954 548 706 1.19 ISIS 449956 100 133 0.21 ISIS 459014 64 138 0.16 ISIS 459024 150 182 2.38 ISIS 459032 109 109 0.11 ISIS 459040 67 95 0.11 ISIS 459046 60 127 0.09 ISIS 459076 57 114 0.14 ISIS 459157 52 85 0.15

TABLE 17 Fold-increase over the PBS control of ALT and AST in the Sprague-Dawley rat treatment groups ISIS No ALT AST 304538 4.1 3.6 304539 0.8 0.8 325568 1.2 1.4 398457 0.9 1.1 398471 0.9 0.9 398486 12.2 8.3 398491 1.9 2.4 398506 7.6 5.0 398507 13.6 4.0 398508 9.8 5.3 436034 10.8 6.7 436140 1.9 1.6 436141 1.8 1.9 448718 3.2 2.0 448730 1.4 1.2 448754 2.1 0.9 448766 1.1 1.2 448817 2.0 2.4 448818 1.9 2.4 448819 5.0 3.0 448848 2.0 1.8 448860 4.1 3.2 448890 4.5 2.6 449884 2.6 1.7 449954 11.1 9.0 449956 2.0 1.7 459014 1.3 1.8 459024 3.1 2.3 459032 2.1 1.6 459040 1.3 1.4 459046 1.1 1.8 459076 1.2 1.5 459157 1.0 1.2 Kidney Function

To evaluate the effect of ISIS oligonucleotides on kidney function, plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were measured using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Hitachi Olympus AU400e, Melville, N.Y.). Results are presented in Table 18, expressed in mg/dL.

TABLE 18 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on kidney function markers (mg/dL) in Sprague-Dawley rats BUN Creatinine (mg/dL) (mg/dL) PBS 16 0.27 ISIS 304538 18 0.35 ISIS 304539 21 0.32 ISIS 325568 15 0.31 ISIS 398457 18 0.32 ISIS 398471 19 0.33 ISIS 398486 20 0.34 ISIS 398491 21 0.32 ISIS 398506 18 0.44 ISIS 398507 16 0.33 ISIS 398508 18 0.41 ISIS 436034 17 0.33 ISIS 436140 16 0.42 ISIS 436141 25 0.42 ISIS 448718 17 0.4 ISIS 448730 21 0.35 ISIS 448754 23 0.36 ISIS 448766 21 0.35 ISIS 448817 17 0.33 ISIS 448818 20 0.52 ISIS 448819 16 0.31 ISIS 448848 19 0.34 ISIS 448860 25 0.38 ISIS 448890 19 0.39 ISIS 449884 16 0.34 ISIS 449954 19 0.45 ISIS 449956 30 0.52 ISIS 459014 20 0.45 ISIS 459024 25 0.59 ISIS 459032 13 0.22 ISIS 459040 21 0.33 ISIS 459046 19 0.3 ISIS 459076 21 0.39 ISIS 459157 17 0.31

Example 16 Tolerability of Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting Human GCGR in CD/IGS Rats

CD/IGS rats are a multipurpose model used for safety and efficacy evaluations. The rats were treated with ISIS antisense oligonucleotides selected from the study described in Examples 14 and 15 and evaluated for changes in the levels of various plasma chemistry markers.

Treatment

Ten-twelve week old male CD/IGS rats were maintained on a 12-hour light/dark cycle and fed ad libitum with Purina normal rat chow, diet 5001. Groups of four CD/IGS rats each were injected subcutaneously twice a week for 13 weeks with 30 mg/kg of ISIS 325568, ISIS 398471, ISIS 436140, ISIS 448766, ISIS 449884, ISIS 459014, ISIS 459032, ISIS 459040, and ISIS 459157. A group of 6 rats was injected subcutaneously twice a week for 13 weeks with PBS and served as a control group. Blood samples were collected at various time points. Forty eight hours after the last dose, body weights were taken, rats were euthanized and organs and plasma were harvested for further analysis.

Organ Weights

Liver, heart, lungs, spleen and kidney weights were measured at the end of the study, and are presented in Table 19. ISIS oligonucleotides that caused any changes in organ weights outside the expected range for antisense oligonucleotides were excluded from further studies.

TABLE 19 Organ weights of CD/IGS rats after antisense oligonucleotide treatment at week 13 expressin grams (g) Heart Liver Lung Spleen Kidney PBS 1.8 21.3 1.9 1.0 4.1 ISIS 325568 1.3 16.9 2.6 2.1 3.6 ISIS 398471 1.6 19.8 2.1 1.6 3.3 ISIS 436140 1.4 22.7 2.4 2.4 4.9 ISIS 448766 1.5 22.6 2.2 2.3 3.4 ISIS 449884 1.6 19.0 2.0 1.3 3.3 ISIS 459014 1.6 16.4 1.9 1.0 3.2 ISIS 459032 1.6 33.3 2.8 6.1 4.0 ISIS 459040 1.5 18.7 2.7 2.3 4.5 ISIS 459157 1.4 19.4 2.1 1.5 3.3 Liver Function

To evaluate the effect of ISIS oligonucleotides on hepatic function, levels of various plasma chemistry markers were measured on week 8.5 (day 57) and week 13 (day 90) using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Hitachi Olympus AU400e, Melville, N.Y.). Plasma levels of ALT (alanine transaminase) and AST (aspartate transaminase) were measured and the results are presented in Tables 20 and 21, expressed in IU/L. Plasma levels of bilirubin and BUN were also measured using the same clinical chemistry analyzer and the results are also presented in Tables 20 and 21. ISIS oligonucleotides that caused changes in the levels of any of the liver function markers outside the expected range for antisense oligonucleotides were excluded in further studies.

TABLE 20 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on liver function markers in CD/IGS rats on day 57 ALT AST Bilirubin BUN IU/L IU/L mg/dL mg/dL Saline 28 48 0.12 12.7 325568 38 59 0.09 16.7 398471 29 49 0.10 10.4 436140 28 45 0.08 11.0 448766 31 64 0.08 13.2 449884 45 55 0.11 12.1 459014 27 44 0.13 23.2 459032 98 172 0.23 14.6 459040 25 43 0.08 14.1 459157 26 48 0.09 15.8

TABLE 21 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on liver function markers in CD/IGS rats on day 80 ALT AST Bilirubin BUN PBS 47 71 0.22 17.9 ISIS 325568 57 102 0.15 19.6 ISIS 398471 59 88 0.18 18.8 ISIS 436140 43 70 0.19 23.3 ISIS 448766 77 168 0.18 22.3 ISIS 449884 95 105 0.23 20.1 ISIS 459014 58 108 0.26 21.4 ISIS 459032 221 422 0.53 18.3 ISIS 459040 56 98 0.16 14.1 ISIS 459157 67 138 0.34 19.4 Kidney Function

To evaluate the effect of ISIS oligonucleotides on kidney function, total urine protein and urine creatinine levels were measured, and the ratio of total urine protein to creatinine was evaluated. The results are presented in Table 22.

TABLE 22 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on urine protein/creatinine ratio in the kidney of CD/IGS rats pre-dose week 8 week 12 PBS 1.1 0.7 0.7 ISIS 325568 1.1 3.6 5.2 ISIS 398471 0.8 4.4 4.6 ISIS 436140 1.1 5.4 15.6 ISIS 448766 0.9 5.4 7.0 ISIS 449884 0.9 3.2 3.7 ISIS 459014 1.0 3.6 3.3 ISIS 459032 1.0 4.5 6.0 ISIS 459040 0.8 4.8 5.6 ISIS 459157 1.2 3.3 4.1

Example 17 Measurement of Viscosity of ISIS Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting Human GCGR

The viscosity of select antisense oligonucleotides from the study described in Example 16 was measured with the aim of screening out antisense oligonucleotides which have a viscosity more than 40 cP. Oligonucleotides having a viscosity greater than 40 cP would be too viscous to be administered to any subject.

ISIS oligonucleotides (32-35 mg) were weighed into a glass vial, 120 μL of water was added and the antisense oligonucleotide was dissolved into solution by heating the vial at 50° C. Part of (75 μL) the pre-heated sample was pipetted to a micro-viscometer (Cambridge). The temperature of the micro-viscometer was set to 25° C. and the viscosity of the sample was measured. Another part (20 μL) of the pre-heated sample was pipetted into 10 mL of water for UV reading at 260 nM at 85° C. (Cary UV instrument). The results are presented in Table 23 and indicate that all the antisense oligonucleotides solutions are optimal in their viscosity under the criterion stated above.

TABLE 23 Viscosity and concentration of ISIS antisense oligonucleotides targeting human GCGR ISIS Viscosity Concentration No. Motif (cP) (mg/mL) 398471 5-10-5 27 173 436140 5-10-5 6 162 448766 5-10-5 4 142 449884 3-10-4 4 145 459014 3-10-4 9 167 459032 3-10-4 7 154 459040 3-10-4 11 157 459157 5-10-6 5 144

Example 18 Pharmacokinetics of Antisense Oligonucleotide in CD1 Mouse Liver

CD1 mice were treated with ISIS 449884 and the oligonucleotide half-life as well as the elapsed time for oligonucleotide degradation and elimination from the liver was evaluated.

Treatment

A group of ten CD1 mice was injected subcutaneously twice per week for 2 weeks with 50 mg/kg of ISIS 449884. Groups of five mice each were sacrificed 3 days and 56 days following the final dose. Livers were harvested for analysis.

Measurement of Oligonucleotide Concentration

The concentration of the full-length oligonucleotide as well as the total oligonucleotide concentration (including the degraded form) was measured. The method used is a modification of previously published methods (Leeds et al., 1996; Geary et al., 1999) which consist of a phenol-chloroform (liquid-liquid) extraction followed by a solid phase extraction. An internal standard (ISIS 355868, a 27-mer 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified phosphorothioate oligonucleotide, GCGTTTGCTCTTCTTCTTGCGTTTTTT, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 119) was added prior to extraction. Tissue sample concentrations were calculated using calibration curves, with a lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of approximately 1.14 μg/g. Half-lives were then calculated using WinNonlin software (PHARSIGHT).

The results are presented in Table 24, expressed as μg/g liver tissue. The half-life of ISIS 449884 was calculated as 15.1 days.

TABLE 24 Oligonucleotide concentration of ISIS 449884 in the liver of CD1 mice Full length concentration (μg/g) Day 3 118.7 Day 56 10.9

Example 19 Effect of ISIS Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting Human GCGR in Cynomolgus Monkeys

Cynomolgus monkeys were treated with ISIS antisense oligonucleotides selected from studies described in Examples 14-18. Antisense oligonucleotide efficacy and tolerability, as well as their pharmacokinetic profile in the liver and kidney, were evaluated. The human antisense oligonucleotides tested are also cross-reactive with the rhesus genomic sequence (designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 3). The greater the complementarity between the human oligonucleotide and the rhesus monkey sequence, the more likely the human oligonucleotide can cross-react with the rhesus monkey sequence. The start and stop sites of each oligonucleotide to SEQ ID NO: 3 is presented in Table 25. “Start site” indicates the 5′-most nucleotide to which the gapmer is targeted in the rhesus monkey gene sequence.

TABLE 25 Antisense oligonucleotides complementary to SEQ ID NO: 3 SEQ Start ID Site Sequence ISIS No Motif NO 1495 TCCACAGGCCACAGGTGGGC 398471 5-10-5 17 8857 CTCTTTATTGTTGGAGGACA 436140 5-10-5 102 3196 GCAAGGCTCGGTTGGGCTTC 448766 5-10-5 31 639 GGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCA 449884 3-10-4 11 666 716 744 799 826 4131 GGGCAATGCAGTCCTGG 459014 3-10-4 80 1142 GAAGGTGACACCAGCCT 459032 3-10-4 81 1506 GCTCAGCATCCACAGGC 459040 3-10-4 82 636 GGGTTCCCGAGGTGCCCAATG 459157 5-10-6 85 663 713 741 796 823 Treatment

Prior to the study, the monkeys were kept in quarantine for a 5-week period, during which the animals were observed daily for general health. The monkeys were 2-3 years old and weighed between 2 and kg. Nine groups of five randomly assigned male cynomolgus monkeys each were injected subcutaneously with ISIS oligonucleotide or PBS using a stainless steel dosing needle and syringe of appropriate size into the intracapsular region and outer thigh of the monkeys. The monkeys were dosed four times a week for the first week (days 1, 3, 5, and 7) as loading doses, and subsequently once a week for weeks 2-13, with 40 mg/kg of ISIS 325568, ISIS 398471, ISIS 436140, ISIS 448766, ISIS 449884, ISIS 459014, ISIS 459032, ISIS 459040, or ISIS 459157. A control group of 8 cynomolgus monkeys was injected with PBS subcutaneously thrice four times a week for the first week (days 1, 3, 5, and 7), and subsequently once a week for weeks 2-13.

During the study period, the monkeys were observed twice daily for signs of illness or distress. Any animal experiencing more than momentary or slight pain or distress due to the treatment, injury or illness was treated by the veterinary staff with approved analgesics or agents to relieve the pain after consultation with the Study Director. Any animal in poor health or in a possible moribund condition was identified for further monitoring and possible euthanasia. For example, one animal from the group treated with ISIS 436140 was euthanized on day 86, and one animal from the group treated with ISIS 459040 was euthanized on day 71. Scheduled euthanasia of the animals was conducted on day 93 by exsanguination after ketamine/xylazine-induced anesthesia and administration of sodium pentobarbital. The protocols described in the Example were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Hepatic Target Reduction

RNA Analysis

On day 93, RNA was extracted from liver tissue for real-time PCR analysis of GCGR using human primer probe set RTS1508. Analyses were also conducted using the human-rhesus monkey primer probe set RTS1479 (forward sequence ATCTCCTGCCCCTGGTACCT, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 120, reverse sequence GGTCCACGCACCCACTGA, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 121, probe sequence ACCGCTTCGTGTTCAAGAGATGCG, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 122). Results are presented as percent inhibition of GCGR mRNA, relative to PBS control, normalized to the house keeping gene Cyclophilin. Similar results were obtained on normalization with RIBOGREEN®. As shown in Table 26, treatment with ISIS antisense oligonucleotides resulted in significant reduction of GCGR mRNA in comparison to the PBS control. Specifically, treatment with ISIS 449884 resulted in the most significant reduction of GCGR mRNA expression.

TABLE 26 Percent Inhibition of GCGR mRNA in the cynomolgus monkey liver relative to the PBS control RTS1508/ RTS1479/ RTS1508/ ISIS No Ribogreen Ribogreen Cyclophilin RTS1479/Cyclophilin 325568 59 49 68 59 398471 27 16 39 30 448766 49 37 55 42 449884 78 75 79 75 459014 25 21 39 32 459157 63 62 72 69 Analysis of Glucagon Levels

Plasma glucagon levels were measured prior to dosing, and on weeks 3, 6, 7, and 10 of treatment. Since glucagon levels change based on the level of stress in the animals, the monkeys were sedated with ketamine delivered via intramuscular injection prior to blood sampling. The animals were fasted overnight prior to collection. Approximately 1.8-2.0 mL of blood was drawn from a femoral vein and placed into K₂-EDTA tubes containing 10 μL/mL DPP-IV inhibitor and 250 KIU/mL aprotinin. The tubes were inverted to mix the blood with the solutions and then placed into iced water. Blood samples were centrifuged at 3,000 g for 15 min at 4-8° C. within 30 min of blood collection.

Increase in glucagon levels is a consequence of inhibition of GCGR levels. Glucagon levels were measured using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Hitachi Olympus AU400e, Melville, N.Y.). The results are presented in Table 27, and indicate that inhibition of glucagon receptor levels by antisense oligonucleotide treatment results in significant increase in plasma glucagon levels. Specifically, treatment with ISIS 449884 resulted in a time-dependent increase in glucagon levels.

TABLE 27 Glucagon levels in the cynomolgus monkey liver after antisense treatment (pg/mL) Pre-dose Week 3 Week 6 Week 7 Week 10 PBS 268 231 248 170 304 ISIS 325568 271 759 726 760 850 ISIS 398471 322 317 279 132 220 ISIS 448766 404 560 572 313 411 ISIS 449884 257 439 631 716 1018 ISIS 459014 348 281 245 122 180 ISIS 459157 369 471 486 538 828 Tolerability Studies Body and Organ Weight Measurements

To evaluate the effect of ISIS oligonucleotides on the overall health of the animals, body and organ weights were measured at day 93. Body weights were measured and are presented in Table 28. Organ weights were measured and the data is also presented in Table 28. The results indicate that effect of treatment with antisense oligonucleotides on body and organ weights was within the expected range for antisense oligonucleotides. Specifically, treatment with ISIS 448994 was well tolerated in terms of the body and organ weights of the monkeys.

TABLE 28 Final body and organ weights in the cynomolgus monkey relative to pre-dose levels Body Spleen Kidney Liver Wt (kg) (g) (g) (g) PBS 2.6 4 12 60 ISIS 325568 2.6 8 16 69 ISIS 398471 2.6 5 13 71 ISIS 436140 2.7 13 23 98 ISIS 448766 2.7 9 18 80 ISIS 449884 2.6 5 14 70 ISIS 459014 2.6 5 12 65 ISIS 459032 2.5 5 13 65 ISIS 459040 2.7 5 13 69 ISIS 459157 2.5 7 12 68 Liver Function

To evaluate the effect of ISIS oligonucleotides on hepatic function, blood samples were collected from all the study groups. The blood samples were collected via femoral venipuncture on day 95, 48 hrs post-dosing. The monkeys were fasted overnight prior to blood collection. Blood was collected in tubes containing K₂-EDTA anticoagulant, which were centrifuged to obtain plasma. Levels of various liver function markers were measured using a Toshiba 200FR NEO chemistry analyzer (Toshiba Co., Japan). Plasma levels of ALT and AST were measured and the results are presented in Table 29, expressed in IU/L. Bilirubin, a liver function marker, was similarly measured and is presented in Table 29, expressed in mg/dL. The results indicate that antisense oligonucleotides had no effect on liver function outside the expected range for antisense oligonucleotides. Specifically, treatment with ISIS 448994 was well tolerated in terms of the liver function in monkeys.

TABLE 29 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on liver function markers in cynomolgus monkey plasma ALT AST Bilirubin (IU/L) (IU/L) (mg/dL) PBS 42 42 0.18 ISIS 325568 31 31 0.14 ISIS 398471 56 39 0.16 ISIS 448766 89 43 0.14 ISIS 449884 44 43 0.14 ISIS 459014 24 39 0.16 ISIS 459157 47 34 0.18 Kidney Function

To evaluate the effect of ISIS oligonucleotides on kidney function, blood samples were collected from all the study groups. The blood samples were collected via femoral venipuncture on day 95, 48 hrs post-dosing. The monkeys were fasted overnight prior to blood collection. Blood was collected in tubes containing K₂-EDTA anticoagulant, which were centrifuged to obtain plasma. Levels of BUN and creatinine were measured using a Toshiba 200FR NEO chemistry analyzer (Toshiba Co., Japan). Results are presented in Table 30, expressed in mg/dL.

The plasma chemistry data indicate that most of the ISIS oligonucleotides did not have any effect on the kidney function outside the expected range for antisense oligonucleotides. Specifically, treatment with ISIS 449884 was well tolerated in terms of the kidney function of the monkeys.

TABLE 30 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on plasma BUN and creatinine levels (mg/dL) in cynomolgus monkeys BUN Creatinine PBS 17 0.60 ISIS 325568 16 0.52 ISIS 398471 16 0.50 ISIS 448766 13 0.54 ISIS 449884 17 0.59 ISIS 459014 18 0.60 ISIS 459157 17 0.58 Hematology

To evaluate any effect of ISIS oligonucleotides in cynomolgus monkeys on hematologic parameters, blood samples of approximately 1.3 mL of blood was collected on week 11 from each of the available study animals in tubes containing K₂-EDTA. Samples were analyzed for red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cells (WBC) count, individual white blood cell counts, such as that of monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, as well as for platelet count, hemoglobin content and hematocrit, using an ADVIA120 hematology analyzer (Bayer, USA). The data is presented in Tables 31 and 32.

The data indicate the oligonucleotides did not cause any changes in hematologic parameters outside the expected range for antisense oligonucleotides at this dose. Specifically, treatment with ISIS 448994 was well tolerated in terms of the hematologic parameters of the monkeys.

TABLE 31 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on various blood cells in cynomolgus monkeys RBC Platelets WBC Neutrophils Lymphocytes Monocytes (×10⁶/μL) (×10³/μL) (×10³/μL) (×10³/μL) (×10³/μL) (×10³/μL) PBS 5.4 499 11.5 5.8 5.2 0.28 ISIS 398471 5.4 568 9.1 2.9 5.8 0.21 ISIS 448766 4.9 422 8.6 4.1 3.9 0.34 ISIS 449884 5.2 415 10.0 4.4 5.1 0.25 ISIS 459014 5.1 433 9.8 4.6 4.7 0.26 ISIS 459157 5.3 357 8.0 3.8 3.8 0.26 ISIS 325568 5.1 376 11.7 5.2 5.7 0.55

TABLE 32 Effect of antisense oligonucleotide treatment on hematologic parameters in cynomolgus monkeys Hemoglobin HCT (g/dL) (%) PBS 13.1 43 ISIS 398471 13.1 44 ISIS 448766 12.3 41 ISIS 449884 12.6 41 ISIS 459014 13.2 44 ISIS 459157 13.2 43 ISIS 325568 13.3 44

Overall, the results of the study indicate that ISIS 449884 is the most potent and well tolerated compound of those tested for inhibiting glucagon receptor and is an important candidate for the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and insulin deficiency 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides and having a nucleobase sequence comprising at least an 8 nucleobase portion of SEQ ID NO: 11, wherein said modified oligonucleotide is at least 96% complementary to SEQ ID NO: 2 as measured over the entirety of the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide, and wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified internucleoside linkage.
 2. The compound of claim 1, consisting of a single-stranded modified oligonucleotide.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein said modified oligonucleotide is at least 98% complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 2. 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein said modified oligonucleotide is 100% complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 2. 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein each modified internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein at least one nucleoside of the modified oligonucleotide comprises a modified sugar.
 7. The compound of claim 6, wherein the at least one modified sugar is a bicyclic sugar.
 8. The compound of claim 7, wherein each of the at least one bicyclic sugar comprises a 4′-CH2-N(R)—O-2′ bridge wherein R is, independently, H, C1-C12 alkyl, or a protecting group.
 9. The compound of claim 7, wherein each of the at least one bicyclic sugar comprises a 4′-CH(CH3)-O-2′ bridge.
 10. The compound of claim 6, wherein at least one modified sugar comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl group.
 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein at least one nucleoside comprises a modified nucleobase.
 12. The compound of claim 11, wherein the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine.
 13. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a gap segment consisting of linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides; and a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.
 14. The compound of claim 13 wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; and a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.
 15. The compound of claim 13, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; and a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar; and wherein each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.
 16. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of 17 linked nucleosides.
 17. The compound of claim 13, wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of 17 linked nucleosides.
 18. The compound of claim 1, wherein said modified oligonucleotide consists of 17 to 25 linked nucleosides.
 19. The compound of claim 1, wherein said modified oligonucleotide consists of a nucleobase sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 11. 20. The compound of claim 1, wherein said modified oligonucleotide consists of the nucleobase sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 and comprises: a gap segment consisting of ten linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, wherein each internucleoside linkage of said modified oligonucleotide is a phosphorothioate linkage, and wherein each cytosine residue of said modified oligonucleotide is a 5-methylcytosine.
 21. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 or salt thereof and at least one of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
 22. A method comprising administering to an animal the compound of claim
 1. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein administering the compound treats, ameliorates, or slows progression of a metabolic disease or condition.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the disease or condition is diabetes.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the disease or condition is Type 2 diabetes.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein administering the compound decreases blood glucose levels in the animal.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the animal is human.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the blood glucose levels are plasma glucose levels or serum glucose levels.
 29. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound consists of a single-stranded modified oligonucleotide consisting of the nucleobase sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 and comprises: a gap segment consisting often linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, wherein each internucleoside linkage of said modified oligonucleotide is a phosphorothioate linkage, and wherein each cytosine residue of said modified oligonucleotide is a 5-methylcytosine.
 30. The compound of claim 1, comprising said modified oligonucleotide and a conjugate, wherein said modified oligonucleotide consists of the nucleobase sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 and comprises: a gap segment consisting often linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting of three linked nucleosides; a 3′ wing segment consisting of four linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, wherein each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar, wherein each internucleoside linkage of said modified oligonucleotide is a phosphorothioate linkage, and wherein each cytosine residue of said modified oligonucleotide is a 5-methylcytosine.
 31. The compound of claim 30, wherein the compound consists of the modified oligonucleotide and a conjugate, wherein the modified oligonucleotide is single-stranded.
 32. A method comprising administering to an animal the compound of claim 29, wherein administering treats, ameliorates, or slows progression of diabetes.
 33. A composition comprising the compound of claim 29 or salt thereof and at least one of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. 